812-L«ncitef Farming, Saturday, February 5, 2000
Rural Farm Women At Risk
For Breast Cancer
LOU ANN GOOD
Lancaster Farming Stajf
LEOLA (Lancaster Co.)
After 32 years of working as a
nurse in a doctor’s office, Pat
Spangler has seen too many
women die unneccesarily.
She intends to change that.
She said, “Many Amish and
Mennonite women don’t have
annual mammograms. Unfortu
nately, by the time they have
symptoms, the breast cancer has
often spread to other organs and
is too late to treat.”
Breast cancer, Pat said, is a
cancer that can be cured when
diagnosed early enough.
“Some women think they
can’t afford a mammogram, but
it is offered free or at a low cost
to uninsured or underinsured
women,” Pat said.
The free service is available
through the American Cancer
Society.
According to Pat, one out of
every 8.2 women will develop
breast cancer at some point in
life, based on full life expect
ancy.
The average age of women di
agnosed with breast cancer is 60
years. But that doesn’t mean
younger women do not need reg
ular check ups.
For most types of breast
cancer, the cause is unknown.
But women whose mothers or
other family members have had
breast cancer are more disposed
to develop it. These women
should have regular checkups
from age 20.
Risks increase if a woman has
started menstruation before age
12 or menopause after age 55.
No pregnancies or a first preg
nancy after age 30, and radia
tion exposure also increases the
risk.
Research also shows that
breast cancer is more likely to
develop in women whose diets
are high in fat.
On Feb. 15, 7 p.m., Pat and a
group of health-care volunteers
will teach a Breast Cancer
Awareness Program at the Bare
ville Fireball, 211 E. Main St.,
Leola.
Topics discussed include risk
factors of breast cancer, the
value of regular checkups, ser
vices available through the
American Cancer Society, the
importance of. mammography
and self breast exam methods.
An educational film will illus
trate normal and abnormal
mammograms.
Although it is important for
women to do regular self-breast
exams, “Often a mass is picked
up by a mammogram that could
never be detected by self exami
nation,” Pat said.
Information includes facts
that many women aren’t told.
For example, women should not
drink caffeine before a mam
mography or schedule it before
menstruation. Both may cause
fluid retention and prevent de
tection.
The program is free and free
transportation is also available.
The program is open to all re
gardless of where they are living.
Pat also provides the same
program to women’s groups
whenever requested.
She said, “The American
Cancer Society has so much in
formation available for all types
of cancers. They also have sup
port groups and will team up a
To prevent unnecessary suffering and death from
breast cancer among rural women, Pat Spangler pre
sents educational seminars, which includes emphasiz
ing that free mammograms and follow-up care are
available to uninsured and under-insured women.
cancer patient with a recovered
patient.”
If a women is diagnosed as
having a breast mass or other
abnormality, funding for sur
gery and health care is also
available through the American
Cancer Society.
For more information or if
Exercise Facts
UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre
Co.)-If getting into a regular
exercise program was your New
Years’ resolution, this informa
tion may provide even more
incentive.
Benefits of Exercise
Individuals who do an aerobic
(oxygen using) activity at least
three times a week for a mini
mum of 20 to 30 minutes may
benefit from these physiological
changes in the body:
•Increased stroke volume
-the heart can pump more blood
with each contraction.
•Increased ability of the body
to carry oxygen to the working
muscle.
•The heart is able to rest
more between each beat.
•Good cholesterol or (HDL
cholesterol) may actually
increase.
•Decreased blood pressure in
some people.
For persons who are seden
tary, any increased level of exer
cise or physical activity is bene
ficial.
Aerobic Advantages
For an exercise to be aerobic,
it must:
- ‘Use large muscle groups.
•Be maintained continuously
for a minimum of 20 minutes.
•Use heart and lungs.
Aerobic activities include
walking, swimming, jogging/run
ning, bicycling, aerobic dancing,
rowing, jumping rope, stair
climbing, and cross country ski
ing.
Getting Started
Some things to remember if
you’re new to exercising:
•First, see your doctor for a
complete physical exam.
•Choose an aerobic exercise
program to maximize health
benefits.
transportation is needed to
attend the awareness program,
call Pat at (717) 656-6122 or
(717)687-7434.
“Awareness and early detec
tion are the best defense against
breast cancer,” Pat said. “Come
and bring a friend. It could save
your life.”
•Warm up before and cool
down after exercising to prevent
injury and let blood return to
your heart.
•Breathe fully during exer
cise.
•Wear proper shoes to pro
vide adequate support and cush-
ioning.
•Don’t push yourself, start
slowly and work up your speed
and endurance.
Exercise Fact versus Fiction
1. Fiction: Exercising gives
you less energy.
Fact: Most people feel exer
cising gives you more energy.
Regular exercise can also help
you combat fatigue and stress.
2. Fiction: Exercising increas
es your appetite.
Fact: Exercising will not
increase your appetite; in fact,
research shows exercise increas
es the number of calories burned
by the body for up to 12 hours
after vigorous exercise.
3. Fiction: Exercising takes
too much time.
Fact: Regular exercise does
not have to take more than
about 25-40 minutes 3 times a
week. This is the equivalent of
watching three television shows
per week. Once you have estab
lished a comfortable exercise
routine, exercise becomes a nat
ural part of your life.
4. Fiction; The older you are,
the less exercise you need.
Fact: As we age, we tend to
become less physically active,
and therefore, need to make sure
we are getting enough exercise.
In general, middle-aged and
older people benefit from regu
lar exercise just as young people
do. However, tailoring the exer
cise program to your own fitness
level is important at any age.