Circle of Life Training for CHRs: Addressing Cancer Information Needs

of American Indian Communities

Sussan Olivera, Health Systems Manager Primary Care

Welcome Community Health Representatives!!! • Introductions • Group exercise • Circle Of Life (COL) overview • Breast, Cervical and Colorectal Cancer • ASC Guidelines recommendations • What can you do?

American Cancer Society

• The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem.

• Together with our millions of supporters, the American Cancer Society (ACS) saves lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back

GROUP EXERCISE!!!

Circle Of Life

About the American Cancer Society Circle of Life Initiative

• The American Cancer Society Circle of Life Initiative provides holistic, culturally sensitive, and interactive means for individuals, families, and tribal communities to make healthy choices and stay well.

• Circle Of Life began in 1991 as program focusing on women’s health and wellness.

• In, 2009 The ACS brought together 30 American Indian and Alaska Native people the Circle of Life Initiative a new look and focus.

• The outcome is a resource path of Wellness for both men and women.

Circle of Life Info Overview: • The Circle Of Life was developed through a partnership between American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and the

American Cancer Society.

• Tribal communities can use this flipchart to inform people about how cancer forms, how to find cancer early and where to find support.

• Our goal is to support the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native people and reduce the number of lives lost to cancer.

Artwork: • Cover artwork courtesy of Jason Edwards, J. Morgan Photography, Marcine Quenzer, Matt Atkinson, and Mary Ruth

Barnes. Page header artwork courtesy of Gary Robinson, Tribal Eye Productions.

Development: • We would like to thank the Circle Of Life Advisory Workgroup for their valuable input to the development of this

flipbook.

For More Information: • Please visit www.cancer.org/col.

Learn more about how to reduce cancer risk.

Our Community • There is so much we can do to improve our health and celebrate life.

• Enjoy healthy choices: • Choose healthy foods, stay active, and avoid commercial tobacco

• Get screened: • Screening can help prevent some cancers and find other cancers early. Live life

longer! • Together, we can stay well and get well, find cancer cures, and continue on our journey.

• What are some things someone or a person do to stay healthy?

Sharing Knowledge

Sharing Knowledge • We would like to start with an invitation to share what you already know about

cancer.

• Completing the “Knowledge Questions” will help us better understand the communities’ experiences with this information.

• The questions are about:

- Different types of cancer

- How to reduce the risk of developing cancer

- Ways to find cancer early

• Would you be willing to answer a short list of written questions?

Let’s Talk About……

• Basic cancer information Reducing the risk for cancer

• Common types of cancer

• Finding cancer

Let’s Talk About… • Cancer impacts many of us. In the U.S., one out of every two men and

one out of every three women will develop cancer at some point in their life.

• Do you know someone who has been affected by cancer?

• We’re going to talk about these four subjects today:

-What cancer is.

-How to reduce the risks for developing cancer.

-What the most common types of cancer are.

-How cancer can be found early.

• Please ask any questions as we go along.

Circle of Life Training Modules The Circle of Life Education modules cover a variety of topics including: • What Cancer is, how it develops, and hoe different types of

cancer can be prevented, diagnosed or treated. • Tips about how to make healthy choices everyday to reduce

cancer risk and stay well. • How to help people coping with a cancer experience,

including information about caregiver concerns and dealing with treatment side effects.

• How to help people facing the end of their cancer journey.

What is Cancer? • Cells become cancer because of damage to their DNA.

• DNA is inside each cell and tells the cell how to grow and what to do.

• Most of the time, when the DNA gets damaged, our immune system can fix the damage. If the cell cannot fix itself, the cell dies.

• In cancer cells, the damaged DNA is not fixed and the cells do not die like they should. Instead, the cell divides and makes new cells, as shown in the second picture. These new cells have the same DNA damage as the first cell does.

• A cancer cell has many mistakes in its DNA, not just one mistake.

• If a person inherits a mistake in their DNA, it does not mean the person will automatically develop cancer. Lifestyle choices may result in additional damage to the DNA which can cause cancer to develop.

• The place where cancer starts to grow is called the “primary site” or “primary tumor site.” Cancer is named after the body part where it first starts to grow. For example, breast cancer is cancer that begins in the breast.

What Can Cause Cancer?

Smoking commercial cigarettes

Poor nutrition Being overweight/obese

Lack of physical activity

Some infectious diseases

Drinking alcohol

What Can Cause Cancer? • Smoking: Smoking is the leading cause of cancer. Choose not to use tobacco except for sacred ceremonies. You can “quit tobacco

before tobacco quits you” by calling 1-800-QUIT NOW.

• Poor Nutrition: Eating well is an important part of improving your health and reducing your cancer risk. Eat at least 2½ cups of vegetables and fruits each day. Choose whole grains instead of refined grain products. Limit how much processed meat and red meat you eat.

• Being Overweight: Getting to and staying at a healthy weight is important to reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. If you are trying to control your weight, a good first step is to watch portion sizes, especially of foods high in calories, fat, and added sugars. Also try to limit your intake of high-calorie foods and drinks.

• Lack of Physical Activity: The latest recommendations for adults call for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week, or an equivalent combination, preferably spread throughout the week.

• Some Infectious Diseases: Infections with certain viruses, bacteria, and parasites are risk factors for several types of cancer. HPV is an example of a virus that causes cervical cancer.

• Drinking Alcohol: Research shows that drinking alcohol increases your chances of developing some cancers. Men should limit alcohol to 2 drinks per day or less, and 1 drink per day or less for women.

NOTE: If a question comes up about environmental cancer: Certain environmental factors may cause cancer, such as excessive exposure to sunlight, radioactivity, and other exposures at home, at work, or outdoors. Visit cancer.org to learn more.

Breast Cancer

• Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the breast.

• SCREENING: Women age 40 and older should have mammograms and clinical breast exams every year.

• Every women is an important partner in her health care!

Photo courtesy J. Morgan Edwards Photography

Cervical Cancer

• Cervical cancer starts in the tissue of the cervix and grows slowly.

• Getting Pap tests can help prevent this cancer!

• Screening: Women age 21 and older should get regular Pap tests for cervical cancer. At age 30, Pap tests should be combined with an HPV test every 5 years.

Photos courtesy J. Morgan Edwards Photography

Colorectal Cancer

• This cancer develops in the colon or the rectum.

• Screening tests can help prevent this cancer by finding and removing polyps before they become cancer.

• Screening: Adults age 50 and older should get regular colorectal cancer screening.

Photos courtesy J. Morgan Edwards Photography

• Take control of your health by following the American Cancer Society’s screening guidelines.

• These can reduce cancer risks:

o Not using commercial tobacco

o Maintaining a healthy weight & exercising daily

o Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can greatly reduce cancer risk.

• A healthy life style reduces the risk of cancer even in people who have cancer in their families.

Reference: www.cancer.org Artwork at top right courtesy of Gary Robinson, Tribal Eye Productions

Key Messages

• The American Cancer Society provides information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Call 1-800-227-2345 to speak with a trained American Cancer Society Cancer Information Specialist and find support in your area.

Reference: www.cancer.org

Take Action: Get Support

Celebrating Life

Enjoy healthy choices: • Choose healthy foods, stay active, and avoid commercial tobacco.

Get screened:

• Screening can help prevent some cancers and find other cancers early. Live life longer!

Together, we can stay well and get well, find cancer cures, and continue on our journey.

• Questions?

• Thank you for participating!

Artwork courtesy of Gary Robinson, Tribal Eye Productions

Closing