Cancer prevention step 1: Get screened

Regular screening and self-examination for certain cancers may not prevent cancer, but it can increase your chances of discovering cancer early — when treatment is more likely to be successful. Screening should include your skin, mouth, colon and rectum. If you're a man, it should also include your prostate and testes. If you're a woman, include cervix and breast cancer screening on your list. Be aware of changes in your body — this may help you detect cancer early, increasing your chances of successful treatment. If you notice any changes, see your doctor.

Cancer prevention step 2: Avoid risky behaviors

Reduce your risk of certain cancers by avoiding risky behaviors that can lead to infections that may increase your risk of cancer. Viruses transmitted sexually or by sharing contaminated needles include:

* HPV. HPV is most often associated with cervical cancer. But HPV may also increase the risk of cancers of the anus, penis, throat, vulva and vagina. The more sexual partners you have in your lifetime, the more likely you are to have HPV.
* Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). People with HIV or AIDS have an increased risk of anal cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma. People with multiple sexual partners and intravenous (IV) drug users who share needles have an increased risk of HIV.
* Hepatitis B and C. Chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection can increase your risk of liver cancer. Both forms of hepatitis can be passed through sexual contact with an infected person or sharing needles with an infected drug user.

Reduce your risk of these cancers by avoiding risky behaviors. Abstain from sex or use condoms and limit the number of sexual partners you have. Never share needles. Seek help for your addiction if you use drugs.

Cancer prevention step 3: Get immunized

Certain cancers are associated with viral infections that can be prevented with immunizations. Talk to your doctor about immunization against:

* Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can increase your risk of developing liver cancer. Vaccination is recommended for all babies in the United States. Certain high-risk adults also may need to be vaccinated.
* Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to cervical cancer. The vaccine that protects against two cancer-causing types of HPV is recommended for girls ages 11 to 12. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the HPV vaccine be given to girls and women ages 13 to 26 who haven't completed the full vaccine series.

Talk to your doctor about whether you would benefit from immunizations to reduce your risk of cancer.

Cancer prevention step 4: Protect yourself from the sun

Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer — and one of the most preventable. Although repeated exposure to X-rays or contact with certain chemicals can play a role, sun exposure is by far the most common cause of skin cancer.

Most skin cancer occurs on exposed parts of your body, including your face, hands, forearms and ears. Nearly all skin cancer is treatable if you detect it early, but it's better to prevent it in the first place. Try these tips:

* Avoid peak radiation hours. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Minimize or avoid being outside during these hours.
* Stay in the shade. If you go outside, minimize your sun exposure by staying in the shade.
* Cover exposed areas. Wear light-colored, loosefitting clothing that protects you from the sun's rays. Use tightly woven fabrics that cover your arms and legs, and wear a broad-brimmed hat that covers your head and ears.
* Don't skimp on sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
* Don't use indoor tanning beds or sunlamps. These also can damage your skin. There's no such thing as a healthy tan.

Cancer prevention step 5 : Don't use tobacco

Smoking has been linked to several types of cancer, including:

* Bladder
* Cervix
* Esophagus
* Kidney
* Lip
* Lung
* Mouth
* Pancreas
* Throat
* Voice box (larynx)

Chewing tobacco has been linked to multiple types of cancer, including:

* Esophagus
* Mouth
* Pancreas
* Throat

Inhaled chewing tobacco (snuff) may increase the risk of cancers, including:

* Esophagus
* Mouth

Even if you don't smoke, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Being around others who are smoking may increase your risk of lung cancer

Cancer prevention step 6: Eat a variety of healthy foods

* Eat an abundance of foods from plant-based sources. Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. In addition, eat other foods from plant sources, such as whole grains and beans, several times a day. Replacing high-calorie foods in your diet with fruits and vegetables may help you lose weight or maintain your weight. A diet high in fruits and vegetables has been linked to a reduced risk of cancers of the colon, esophagus, lung and stomach.
* Limit fat. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-fat foods, particularly those from animal sources. High-fat diets tend to be higher in calories and may increase the risk of overweight or obesity, which can, in turn, increase cancer risk.
* Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Your risk of cancers, including mouth, throat, esophagus, kidney, liver and breast cancers, increases with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you've been drinking regularly. Even a moderate amount of drinking — two drinks a day if you're a man or one drink a day if you're a woman, and one drink a day regardless of your sex if you're over 65 — may increase your risk.

Cancer prevention: 7 steps to reduce your risk

Cancer prevention step 7: Stay active and maintain a healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly also may play a role in cancer prevention. Being overweight or obese may increase your risk of cancers of the breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, stomach and uterus. Physical activity can help you avoid obesity by controlling your weight. Physical activity on its own may also lower your risk of cancers of the breast, colon, prostate and uterus.

Try to be physically active for 30 minutes or more on most days of the week. Once you achieve that goal, adding more exercise to your day may reduce your risk of certain cancers further.

Your exercise sessions can include such low-key activities as brisk walking, raking the yard or even ballroom dancing. Safe exercise programs are available for just about everyone. Your doctor or physical therapist can help design one for you.

How to Contact the Positive Appearance Center

The Positive Appearance Center is open for walk-in visits Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are encouraged (though not required) for fittings of prostheses and wigs. Home visits are available when needed. There is no charge for consultation or fitting services.

BREAST CANCER: modifiable risk factors

These risk factors also affect a woman’s chance of having breast cancer, but can be changed or prevented:

Estrogen. Evidence suggests that the longer a woman is exposed to estrogen (estrogen made by the body, taken as a drug, or delivered by a patch), the more likely she is to develop breast cancer.
Late childbearing. Women who have their first child late (after about age 30) have a greater chance of developing breast cancer than women who have a child at a younger age.
Breast density. Breast cancers nearly always develop in lobular or ductal tissue (not fatty tissue). That's why cancer is more likely to occur in breasts that have a lot of lobular and ductal tissue (that is, dense tissue) than in breasts with a lot of fatty tissue. In addition, when breasts are dense, it is more difficult for doctors to see abnormal areas on a mammogram.
Radiation therapy. Women whose breasts were exposed to radiation during radiation therapy before age 30, especially those who were treated with radiation for Hodgkin's disease, are at an increased risk for developing breast cancer. Studies show that the younger a woman was when she received her treatment, the higher her risk for developing breast cancer later in life.
Weight. Weight gain after age 18 is associated with an increased risk of post-menopausal breast cancer.
Physical inactivity. Indirect evidence exists indicating that there is an inverse relationship between amount of physical activity levels and one's risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol consumption. Some studies suggest a slightly higher risk of breast cancer among women who drink alcohol. The relationship between alcohol and breast cancer is consistent among associations of dietary factors and breast cancer risks, and is likely related to alcohol's (beer, wine, and liquor) ability to increase estrogen levels.

Cardiac Care: Treatment options

Along with diagnostic testing, Saint John’s Heart Institute is on the cutting edge of cardiac care by offering treatment options that include cardiovascular interventions, including cardiac catheterization, balloon angioplasty, rotoblator angioplasty and drug-eluting and non drug-eluting stent implantation.



The Health Center performs hundreds of cardiac interventions every year and offers the latest breakthroughs in the treatment of coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease in women. In addition, Saint John's state-of-the-art Digital Catheterization Department is the site of many life-saving procedures. Innovative technology allows medical professionals to take computerized pictures of the heart and translate these images electronically for viewing and analysis by physicians in their own offices.

Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology
Diagnostic and Interventional Electrophysiology
Cardiovascular and Cardiothoracic Surgery

Cardiac Care: symptoms

According to the American Heart Association, of the 500,000 annual deaths from cardiovascular disease, approximately 267,000 women die from heart attacks--that’s six times as many as those who will die from breast cancer. Why do so many women die from heart attacks? It could be because heart attack symptoms in women are different than in men and many women do not even realize they are having a heart attack until it is too late.


Typically, men may experience any one of these symptoms before having a heart attack: chest discomfort or pain, upper body pain, stomach pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, lightheadedness, sweating and nausea. Women may have all, none or a few of these classic symptoms and are more likely than men to also have symptoms unrelated to chest pain such as:



• Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea or vomiting

• Abdominal pain or heartburn

• Sweating

• Lightheadedness or dizziness

• Unusual or unexplained fatigue


If a woman thinks she is having a heart attack, she should call for help immediately. Getting treatment quickly improves the chances of survival.

Cardiac Care: prevention

Better lifestyle habits can help a woman reduce her risk for a heart attack. Learn how to help prevent heart disease and stroke.



Healthy Eating Habits

Better food habits can help reduce a woman’s risk for heart attack. A healthful eating plan means choosing the right foods to eat and preparing foods in a healthy way. Nutrient-rich foods have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but are lower in calories. Choose foods like vegetables, fruits, whole-grain products and fat-free or low-fat dairy products most often.


Exercise & Fitness
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and most Americans are not physically active enough to gain any health benefits. Swimming, cycling, jogging, skiing, dancing, walking and dozens of other activities can help keep a woman’s heart healthy. Whether it is included in a structured exercise program or just part of a daily routine, all physical activity adds up to a healthier heart.


According to the latest American Heart Association/American College of Sports Medicine guidelines on physical activity, adults should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity every day of the week.


Risk Assessment

Women can reduce their chances of getting heart disease tomorrow, next year or 30 years from now by knowing their numbers and assessing their risks. The American Heart Association has an easy-to-use tool called “Go Red Heart Check Up ” to help women develop personal action plans. To get a referral to a Saint John’s cardiologist, click here for our physician referral service.

Cardiac Care

Heart disease is the number one cause of death among women and kills six times as many women as breast cancer. Because the symptoms of a heart attack can differ for a woman than for a man, many women delay seeking medical care until it is too late.

Saint John's Heart Institute, one of Southern California's premier cardiac care facilities, knows the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and treatment and offers women the latest in cardiac care. Saint John’s provides screenings, diagnosis, interventions, surgery and electrophysiology. We also conduct clinical research studies investigating the latest treatments in cardiac care.