Herald & Lantern 25 lanuary '84 Rx

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As co-chairman of the Cancer Society, it is frustrating to me to see so many needless deaths from breast cancer. Methods exist today to detect breast cancer at a stage early enough to save 85 percent of patients! Yet, 37,500

Health Watch by Or. Robert C. Beitnun

Radiology Course Scheduled

County Library

by Kathleen Duffy

There are four major history of breast cancer in steps you can take to detect blood relatives; and fourth, breast cancer early and to ’ reducing your dietary inreduce your risk pf this take of saturated fats, dread disease. First and which are associated with foremost is to do a monthly an increased Hsk of breast Americans are expected to breast self-exam; second cancer,

die of breast cancer in 1984. And critical, is to get get MAMMOGRAPHY is our One out of every 14 women /regular mammograms; topic for today. This is a will develop breast cancer third, letting yoQr physi- revolutionary technique for in their life time. . • cian know your family’s early detection of breast

■ cancer involving a low dose

X-ray of the breasts. There I has never bee*n a documented case of breast cancer caused by getting regular mammograms, so there is no excuse to avoid the test because you are fearful of radiation. In fact, there is only ooe-half a “rad” (unit of radiation exposure) involved, which is

a very small amount.

THE MAMMOGRAM is different from a regular chest x-ray in that it is fantastically detailed, showing a map of the tissues of the '’ breast, the blood vesels, ducts, and anatomy of the skin. A regular chest X-ray only shows shadows which might suggest problems in the breast, but gives little information by comparison. The actual name of the test is xeromammography, because rather than producing an X-ray, it gives a xerox copy due to a special low-dose radiation t technique created by the. Xerox

corporation. '

When should you get a mammogram? If you have no symptoms, your first mammogram should be between the ages of 35 and 40. Assuming it is negative, you will want this kept in your medical records for the sake of comparison with future mammograms, as you approach the higher

risk age groupings.

Between 40 and 50 your breasts undergo the greatest tissue changes and this is the time for annual or bi-annual mammograms to catch A the earliest possible changes which could suggest cancer. After age 50, an annual mammogram should be part of your'standard

physical.

•SYMPTOMATIC” women require more frequent and earlier mammograms. This classification includes people who have an aunt, sister or mother who’ve had breast cancer, those who have had prior biopsies for breast cancer, prior total or partial breast removals, and those women with “cystic" (naturally lumpy) breasts. Also, the clinical signs of lumps, ulcerations of the skin, dimpling of the gfcin of the breast, retraction of the nipple (it turns in ooTteif), and thickening of the skin on the breast should seek prompt investigation. Women with large breasts may find even at a young age. that they cannot do an effective breast self exam for buned lumps, hence earlier mammograms may be advisable. Those who have had surgery to increase or reduce their breast size ar*r also at greater risk and re? ar quire increased mammographic monitoring. It has been shown statistically that women who have nev£r had children, those who have their first child after age 28, or get their period before age IS are also at higher risk and should seek earlier, regular mam-

Does the future spark your imagination? Do you find it difficult to find factual instead of theoretical information on future technologies? < A recently acquired set of reference books at the Cape -May County Library, will spark that imagination and proride factual information. Insight:. The ■ Marshall Cavendish Encyclopedia of Science and the Future is an account of the scientific £nd technological ad,vances that are changing the use and understanding of our world and our continuing adventures into

space.

The first volume ■ js dedicated to the understanding and exploration of space, being in the first flight of current imagination and achievement: “The recent journeys — to the planets Mars and Jupiter in particular — and the details of exploration into the farther reachers of real science and the deeper mysteries of space: new insights into Einstein’s original vision about space and time, new investigation into the conundrum of

gravity.

“Hie impact of space technology on everyday life — in telecommunications and weather forecasting — . is fully dealth with. The frontiers'of science extend into an' give a new understanding into the past. Recently developed techniques enable us to date, with increasing accuracy, the* origins of life on earth and explain ancieht mysteries such as the extinction of dinosaurs." THE SECOND area treated is ‘‘Machine Technology,” which relates to the complex and developing machinery- that inhabits our wqrld. Look around — we are surrounded by millions upon millions of machines. “Even -so, most machines we never see. They perform thertf necessary tasks at a distance, making do fuss and bother, like the trained servants that they are indeed are. Giant machines dig for coal and drill for oil, hut most of us buy the resulting product at the pump and insert it into a tank, where it propels our automobiles — again, hopefully, without fuss or

bother.

Tiny machines ruh our clocks and control the heartbeats of some.of us. Machines can even listen to sounds and real books, to say nothing of writing music and poetry and playing chess, which they can also do. A machine can even break a secret code — which was probably developed by .another machine, in the first

place.”

Especially interesting

are the applications to things like roller coasters, animation techniques, ul-tra-light gliders and planes, and the use.of computers to detect art forger-

ies.

THE THIRD area of focus is “Resources for Mankind," which delve into mining faults and the effects of plate tectonics, astronomy in space, prov ing astrology, oceans of energy, food and mining possibilities, solving the problems of add rajn and the encroaching and enlarging areas of desert. Most technology that today we think of as modern and up to date will seem as old and as clumsy in 50 years as the machines and devices of the 30’s seem to us. The sleekest car, the most beautifully designed stereo, the most -Artfully crafted appliance — all will seem as antique and oldfashioned as an Atwater Fent wooden “cathedral” radio or a four-door Hupmobile. There may even be a market in antique TV games and home computers. Technology will bring us the refined . underground house which while quiet, safe, and easy to. heat, is still somewhat frightening to the average

person.

We will even eat differently in the next 50 years. Think back to the 40’s. Were there any MacDonald’s? Burger Kings? Wendy’s? Kentucky Fried Chicken? Not a one. People ate at home or in relatively formal restaurants. Men partojk of the “free lunch” at-the corner tavern. BIOTECHNOLOGY? How will that affect your .life? Probably in a multitude of ways. The shipping industry considering a return to sail? Accor--ding to the latest technological reports, it’s being studied to cut the cost of fuel. The issue devoted to military technology-1 found too barrowing to contemplate, but the last section explores “Electronics and Medical Science” and holds a great deal of hope for us all. We have all read about the wonderful things computers will do for home security, automobiles etc., but the description all seem a bit vague. The article “A Computer Behind the Wheel” describes in detail what is available now, and what is on the drawing boards. How this will revolutionize driving and auto production is mindboggling. 'The future of medical science in research, drugs, nudear medicine, artificial parts, prosthetics and breakthroughs to help the deaf are all explained so that the lay person can understand the procedures. All in all, a fascinating peek into the future.

mographic monitoring. * EVEN IF you find a lump your physician will want to determine the detent of the lump and check for the presence of small additional sites. When a biopsy is done and comes back negative, mammography may be done in follow-up to make sure the biopsy didn’t miss the tumor. ■ There are many causes of lumpAind changes in the breast which'are not lifethreatening: However, becauseof the rapid course of breast cancer, chances should not be taken, if you didn’t know about the existence of mammography, or have been putting it off — take charge of your health and seek prompt evaluation. There’s no question, it could save your

life.

For free brochures on • breast caned- detection and treatment or for a speaker on these topics for your dub or dvic organization contact the American Cancer Society, 15 S. Delsea Drive, Rie Grande, 886-1154. This tu -mp* is written by Dr R» . . aL r*r the Cape May Cou. ;y Unit of the American Cancer Society, New Jersey Division.

COURT HOUSE - Starting Monday, Feb. 6, the County Office of Emergency Management, in the basement of the County Library-Office Building, 14-34 Mechanic St., will hold a course in basic Radiological Monitoring. The course will run 7 to 10:30 p.m. for three evenings. Monday. Feb. 6; Tuesday. Feb. 7; and Thursday, Feb. 9. Any interested person 18 or over may attend this course for , which there Is no charge. THE COURSE is design ed to give members of the public and those involved Classes Set For Childbirth COURT HOUSE - The Cape Childbirth and Parent Education Association will be bolding. classes for prepared childbirth. Women who are at least six months pregnant may call to register. The series is eight weeks long and "begins today at Burdette Tomlin Hospital. For more information and regristration call Michelle at

465-2497.

in public safety a proper understanding of the nuclear hazards to be encountered in radiation incidents. Course material

effects, peacetime radiation incidents; and familiarization with radiological detection in struments and the techniques of their handling The final session Feb. 9 will include a written test end a proficiency test in instru men! handling Those interested in the course should call the Of flee of Emergency Management at 465-9406. between 8:30 a m. an(U:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or stop in at the office during those hours for registration.

Talent Hunt

The Avalon Home and School Association is ask ing interested parents and citizens to share their talents with students for one hour, any day after school. For information on the program contact the Home and School Associa-tton^J68-5279.

THE “EAGER BEAVERS** of CAFE MAY COUNTY Stop in and meet, in person, out Union Trust "Eager Beavers" ready, to offer yqu friendly, convenient service at all of our six pffices.. . - . y A campletevange of services ore avoiloWejncludtng Checking, Savings, N.O.W, Money Market Accounts, Ceitificates of Deposit, Safe.Deposit Baxes and Personal and Business Loans. Pick the one that fits you- requirements. Union Trust Company — We're eager to serve you at

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