Cancer Locally

Cancer is a common problem in the central valley, particularly in our communities of Yuba and Sutter counties. This is most likely due to a combination of high smoking rates, exposure to pesticides (and their byproducts), and obesity.

If you are concerned about cancer, the most important and easiest thing you can do is avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, quit. You will avoid many health problems (not only cancers of the lung, breast, mouth, tongue, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, and bladder). You will also save money (over $1000 each and every year for each pack of cigarettes daily, plus more for lozenges and sinus medicine, air fresheners, and lost work). If you are around smokers, stay away.

If you work in the fields, limit your pesticide exposure with protective clothing and masks. On field burning days, stay indoors. Do not go into the fields shortly after they have been sprayed. This is by no means a comprehensive list, simply some examples.

If you are overweight, try to lose weight. The more overweight you are, the higher your risk of some cancers.

Cancer Screening

The purpose of screening examinations is to identify cancer earlier than we would if we waited until cancer was obvious. Note that while earlier identification improves survival, it is at least as important to avoid behaviors that lead to cancer in the first place (see above).

Different cancers are screened in different ways. There are some cancers which are not effectively screened. That means that the cost of the screening procedure (in dollars or human suffering) is no better than waiting for those cancers to show themselves.

• Breast cancer screening has become very effective at finding early cancers. It consists of breast examination and mammography. Mammogram alone may miss up to 10% of early cancers. This is why you must still be seen if you have a breast mass (or lump) even if your mammogram is normal. Mammograms also show abnormalities which are not cancer, but need to be checked or followed.


• Colon cancer screening (colonoscopy, double contrast barium enema) is very effective at finding cancer or polyps. Polyps can be removed before they become cancer, preventing cancer.


• Lung cancer screening is not effective in current smokers. It may be effective in former smokers, though that is not yet certain. Chest CT can be performed, but the costs (financially and in human suffering) of evaluating all lesions identified may not be less than waiting for the cancers to show themselves. The most important thing for you to do if you are a smoker is to quit.


• Skin cancer screening is easy. Make an appointment with your physician or dermatologist and have them do a skin survey to look at your entire skin surface. Many skin cancers may be completely treated by removal. Melanomas are the most dangerous skin cancers; your risk of melanoma can be reduced if you always wear sunscreen and avoid serious sunburn.