Cancer and Its Prevention

Men’s Health Peer Education ILLNESS PREVENTION Cancer and its prevention: resources (Tab 21)

Cancer and its prevention

Resources

The following resources can be found in this section:

 Cancer and its prevention (PPTs)

 Scenario: Cancer and its prevention

 Quiz: Cancer and its prevention

 Handout

The DVA Trainer will determine which activities are suitable for the training . Please note not all activities may be used during the training.

Reviewed: 08/10/2015 ILLNESS PREVENTION Men’s Health Peer Education (Tab 21) Cancer and its prevention: resources, activities and handouts

Cancer and its prevention (PPTs)

The Cancer and its prevention PowerPoint (PPT) is located on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Men’s Health Peer Education Volunteer Resource website page. The PPT file is: TAB21 – Cancer and its prevention.ppt

Reviewed: 08/10/2015 Men’s Health Peer Education ILLNESS PREVENTION Cancer and its prevention: resources (Tab 21)

Scenario

SCENARIO: Cancer and its prevention (training use only)

Part 1 You have organised a cancer prevention and information session at the local RSL. You have organised lots of Cancer Council brochures and posters, have a DVD running, and have a group chatting to you about skin cancer monitoring. While talking with the group, Rick asks ‘what if it comes back?’ You have known Rick since basic training, and served together, but lost touch over the years. He moved to your area three years ago after his marriage split, and you ran into one another at the RSL. You have a beer with him every few months when you both happen to be at the club. He lives by himself. Questions to raise / Talking points 1. How will you respond to Rick, given there are four others with him? (see possible responses on next page)

Part 2 You and Rick sit down over a beer a little later. Rick tells you he was diagnosed with melanoma four years ago after his GP found a spot on his back. It was successfully removed, but another was found a year later, about the time he moved. In both cases doctors were confident there was no spread. Rick tells you he found a lump ‘the size of an egg’ under his arm last night. He doesn’t want to see his doctor because he ‘knows it will be the big C back’. Rick says he spent all last night and today on the internet, and is keen to ‘get stuck into the vitamins and herbs’. He ‘knows that as soon as they cut this time it’ll spread and I’m stuffed’. Questions to raise / Talking points 2. What do you say? 3. What might you do or say in the days following? (see possible responses on next page)

Part 3 You next see Rick three months later, at the RSL. He is wearing a cap, and looks as though he has had a crew cut. You say hello, and he tells you that the melanoma was back; he has had surgery and has just started chemotherapy. You buy him a soft drink, and sit down for a chat. He tells you there was a spread of the melanoma in his lymph nodes, and the doctors have said things are ‘50:50’. You understand that as 50 per cent chance he could die. Questions to raise / Talking points 4. What do you say/do? (see possible responses on next page)

SCENARIO: Cancer and its prevention (training use only)

Part 1 5. How will you respond to Rick, given there are four others with him?  ‘Most important thing is seeing your doctor’  Quietly, as the group moves away, or approach him a few minutes later, and ask ‘do you want to have a chat/beer, mate?  Don’t ignore it.

Part 2 6. What do you say?  Lack of sleep often makes things seem worse than they are.  There could be other reasons for a lump. It is his choice to manage his health as he wishes, but see his GP first to check what it could be, and so he has a clearer picture of all his possible options. Then he can make an informed choice. 7. What might you do or say in the days following? Ring Rick to check he went to his GP. If not, reinforce the importance of doing so. If yes, ask him if he would like to get together, when/wherever it suits.

Part 3 8. What do you say/do?  Do you want to talk about it?  How do you feel?  Does 50:50 seem like good news or bad news?  Are there other people/family that you have been able to talk to?  Is there anything I can do?  Is this something you are telling others at the club (they are going to notice the hair loss etc)?  Is the surgery or treatment stopping you doing things?  What about some practical help round the house/cooking/cleaning/transport to come to the club etc?  Do you feel that you have good communication with your doctors/cancer support nurse?  If you want to talk about things anytime, I am available (if you are).  Give him a call regularly, and re-check how he is going.

QUIZ: Cancer and its prevention

Select the best answer.

1. Cancer is best described as: a. Cell mutations that cause abnormal multiplication b. A disease that can spread through the bloodstream or by invasion of surrounding tissue c. Most likely to occur in old age d. All of the above

2. Which of the following is not a symptom of benign prostate enlargement? a. Weaker urine stream b. Erection problems c. Frequency (a short time between needing to urinate) d. Dribbling after finishing urination

3. Prostate cancer accounts for approximately what percentage of all male cancers in Australia? a. 10% b. 30% c. 50% d. Most prostate cancers are actually benign prostate enlargement and do not need risky treatment

4. Which statement about prostate cancer is most correct? a. A high PSA test nearly always indicates early prostate cancer b. It occurs most commonly in men in their 50s c. Heavy alcohol use is the biggest risk factor d. Most men with the disease will die with it, rather than from it

5. The best combination for reducing the risk of colorectal cancer is: a. Exercising regularly, not smoking, eating oily fish b. Plenty of fruit and vegetables, eating oily fish, B vitamin supplements c. Plenty of fruit and vegetables, not smoking, maintaining healthy body weight d. Not drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, B vitamin supplements

6. Lung cancer is: a. The most common cause of cancer death in Australia b. The most common cancer in Australian men c. Mostly successfully treated d. None of the above

7. The most lethal skin cancer is: a. Basal cell carcinoma b. Squamous cell carcinoma c. Solar keratosis d. Melanoma

8. Testicular cancer: a. Is most common in men between 40 and 60, but rare in old age b. Has been found in many studies to be nearly always detected early by weekly testicular self-examination c. Is only definitely diagnosed with surgical removal of the affected testicle d. Can be prevented largely by avoiding sporting injuries to the testicles and overly tight clothing around the groin

9. What is the best approach to talking with someone about their cancer diagnosis? a. Tell them you are open to discussion whenever and however they want b. Don’t mention it if they don’t, as many people prefer not to discuss it c. If they haven’t said anything after a month they are probably in denial, and you could recommend talking to a counsellor d. Encourage them to just get on with life, which is the best way of dealing with cancer

10. The best way to reduce cancer risk is to: a. Quit smoking, be SunSmart, be physically active b. Get checked by your doctor, practice meditation, be vegetarian c. Take vitamin B and C and omega-3 supplements, don’t drink alcohol, eat a healthy diet d. Lose weight, practice meditation, quit smoking

QUIZ: Cancer and its prevention (ANSWERS)

Select the best answer.

11. Cancer is best described as: a. Cell mutations that cause abnormal multiplication b. A disease that can spread through the bloodstream or by invasion of surrounding tissue c. Most likely to occur in old age d. All of the above

12. Which of the following is not a symptom of benign prostate enlargement? a. Weaker urine stream b. Erection problems c. Frequency (a short time between needing to urinate) d. Dribbling after finishing urination

13. Prostate cancer accounts for approximately what percentage of all male cancers in Australia? a. 10% b. 30% c. 50% d. Most prostate cancers are actually benign prostate enlargement and do not need risky treatment

14. Which statement about prostate cancer is most correct? a. A high PSA test nearly always indicates early prostate cancer b. It occurs most commonly in men in their 50s c. Heavy alcohol use is the biggest risk factor d. Most men with the disease will die with it, rather than from it

15. The best combination for reducing the risk of colorectal cancer is: a. Exercising regularly, not smoking, eating oily fish b. Plenty of fruit and vegetables, eating oily fish, B vitamin supplements c. Plenty of fruit and vegetables, not smoking, maintaining healthy body weight d. Not drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, B vitamin supplements

16. Lung cancer is: a. The most common cause of cancer death in Australia b. The most common cancer in Australian men c. Mostly successfully treated d. None of the above

17. The most lethal skin cancer is: a. Basal cell carcinoma b. Squamous cell carcinoma c. Solar keratosis d. Melanoma

18. Testicular cancer: a. Is most common in men between 40 and 60, but rare in old age b. Has been found in many studies to be nearly always detected early by weekly testicular self-examination c. Is only definitely diagnosed with surgical removal of the affected testicle d. Can be prevented largely by avoiding sporting injuries to the testicles and overly tight clothing around the groin

19. What is the best approach to talking with someone about their cancer diagnosis? a. Tell them you are open to discussion whenever and however they want b. Don’t mention it if they don’t, as many people prefer not to discuss it c. If they haven’t said anything after a month they are probably in denial, and you could recommend talking to a counsellor d. Encourage them to just get on with life, which is the best way of dealing with cancer

20. The best way to reduce cancer risk is to: a. Quit smoking, be SunSmart, be physically active b. Get checked by your doctor, practice meditation, be vegetarian c. Take vitamin B and C and omega-3 supplements, don’t drink alcohol, eat a healthy diet d. Lose weight, practice meditation, quit smoking

Handout

The following handout can be found in this section:

 DVA MHPE Information Sheet: Cancer and its prevention

MHPE Information Sheet: Cancer and its prevention

Cancer involves changes to genes within specific cells, which can then grow and invade locally or spread to other sites. Half of all Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85. Most will not die from the cancer, but cancer is our leading cause of death.

Skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are the most common cancers in Australia. Most are not life-threatening; the survival rate is over 99% if treated early. Melanoma makes up 9.5% of all other cancers in Australia. More than 95% of skin cancer in Australia is due to sun overexposure. Check your skin, see your GP if any spots change or you have any concerns. Slip, slop, slap, seek, slide!

Prostate cancer

Benign Prostate Enlargement is common, is not cancer and does not become cancer. It often causes problems with urination and is usually very treatable. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australia after NMSC, and risk increases over 50 years of age. There are no proven measures to prevent prostate cancer. Early diagnosis is important. Prostate cancer can be one of the least threatening of cancers. The majority of men with prostate cancer are more likely to die with the disease rather than from the disease. Talk with your GP about all urinary or sexual symptoms.

Colorectal (bowel) cancer

Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer (excluding NMSC) in Australians. The National Bowel Cancer Screening test kit is sent 5 yearly to Australians aged 50 to 74 to detect blood in the faeces. Any problems detected will be followed up with a colonoscopy. The risk of bowel cancer can be reduced by not smoking, eating a healthy diet (plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables), limiting alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy body weight. If diagnosed and treated early, bowel cancer has a high survival rate. Do your screening test, and see your GP if any bowel concerns.

Lung cancer

Although only 9% of all cancers, lung cancer causes over 20% of cancer deaths in Australia. Signs may include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing that can

produce bloody sputum, weight loss, lethargy or loss of appetite, but these signs often appear late. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. The best way to prevent lung cancer is to not smoke or to quit smoking. See your GP if you need help to quit.

Most people with cancer have successful outcomes after treatment.

There are seven simple steps you can take to reduce your cancer risk:

1. Quit smoking 2. Eat for health 3. Maintain a healthy weight 4. Be SunSmart 5. Limit alcohol intake 6. Be physically active 7. Get checked by your doctor

Further information

Cancer Council Helpline: 13 11 20 allows anyone to talk with a cancer nurse

Cancer Council Australia website (www.cancer.org.au)

Bowel Cancer Screening Program website (www.cancerscreening.gov.au) or 1800 118 868

Andrology Australia website (www.andrologyaustralia.org)

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia website (www.prostate.org.au)

Reviewed: 08/10/2015