Posts Tagged ‘cancer’

By Barret Procyshyn, Pharmacist at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy

 I work with a lot of mothers at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy. Some recent discussion has been about the HPV vaccine. Recently letters and consent forms were sent out to all parents of grade six girls from the public health nurses. The province is offering all Grade Six girls the human papillomavirus vaccine or HPV Vaccine. There is some unease, controversy and a lot of questions about the vaccine because of what it protects against.

HPV is a virus of over 100 types. There are about 15 types which are known to be high risk, causing pre-cancerous lesions and cervical cancer. Over 99% of cervical cancer is caused by persistent HPV infection. Most of these are sexually transmitted. InManitoba, there are up 50 cases per year of cervical cancer alone, causing approximately 15 deaths annually. The HPV infection, which cannot be cured, has also been linked to oral cancer and anal cancer. HPV is also responsible for genital warts. As you can see this is not the easiest topic to discuss, but it is an important one!

The immunization is a series of three needles. They will take place in October, December and in the spring. All parents must either consent or not consent to the vaccine.  Controversy for the HPV vaccine arises because we are giving a vaccine to girls to prevent a sexually transmitted virus at a young age. However; Grade 6 was chosen because it provides protection for the future. Studies show Canadians become sexually active around the age of 15 and 50% will contract some type of HPV virus in their lifetime.

While the vaccine only provides coverage against four types of HPV, these strains account for almost 70% of cervical cancer cases and 90% of genital warts. New vaccines must show effectiveness in studies before they are approved. Studies were performed in which females received the vaccine and some received no vaccine. While it was unethical to wait to see if the females who did not receive the vaccine develop more cancer, scientists were able to see the vaccine did a very good job of preventing precursors to cancer.

Short term data gives us every reason to believe the vaccine is safe. Over 35 million does of the HPV vaccine have been given, with very few adverse effects. In original drug trials people who received the vaccine did not have any more significant side effects than the people who received placebo. We do not believe the vaccine has any long term effects, but because it is fairly new, we are unable to give a definite answer. The most common side effects from the vaccine are mild. They include pain, swelling and redness in the area where the needle was given.

Just because your daughter receives the vaccine does mean they are 100% protected. Regular physicals and pap tests are still recommended. HPV infections occur without any symptoms and the progression of the HPV virus to cancerous cells often has no symptoms. Regular health checks are essential.

If you or a family member have not received the vaccine and are interested in it you should speak to your family physician. You can obtain the vaccine with a prescription and it is indicated in females between the ages of 9 and 26. Most private insurance programs will pay a portion of the three injections. The U.S. FDA has now approved the vaccine for males between the ages of 9 and 26 for the prevention of genital warts. Currently there is not indication for males inCanada. Further studies are being done to see if there is additional benefit.

Anytime we can prevent illness in our children we usually try and do it!  Ultrasounds are performed to ensure the baby is healthy. We inject vaccines as tiny babies in hope of preventing a disease. We lined them up for the swine flu vaccine when the threat was present. We give them Tylenol when a fever develops, in hope it does not progress. Anytime we decide to act, there is a small risk involved. However; the potential benefit of preventing a serious problem outweighs the small risk. As a parent you need to weigh the small risks of the HPV vaccine versus the potential benefit. I think it will make the choice that much easier.

We are always looking for new ideas for these articles.  If you have any topic suggestions, please email us at dcp@mymts.net.

The information in this article is intended as a helpful guide only.  It is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice.  If you have any questions about your medications and what is right for you see your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional.

We now have this and most other articles published in the Parkland Shopper on our Website.  Please visit us at www.dcp.ca

By Barret Procyshyn.  Recorded by the nice people at 730 CKDM, The Parkland’s Best Music

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By Trevor Shewfelt, Pharmacist at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy

I had a job in high school walking malamutes.  You’ve probably seen huskies.  Huskies are dogs bred to pull sleds with people on them.  Malamutes look like large huskies.  Malamutes are bred to pull freight sleds.  They are very bid and strong.  My job involved going to the owner’s house, meeting up with another high school kid, and then we’d each walked one of the malamutes.  The male’s name was Buck and the female’s was Shadow.  One day I got to the house and got leases on Buck and Shadow, but my walking partner was late.  I got impatient, put both leashes around my waist and set off.  I got to the end of the driveway when Buck saw another dog.  Suddenly I was being towed rapidly down the icy street.  I kept my feet under me for a while, but soon I was being pulled head long towards an unfortunate dog.

So what did I do wrong?  I was getting exercise, which is good.  I was earning some money, which is good.  But I was impatient and didn’t take the basic safety precaution of having one dog walker per dog.  The same is true for sun exposure.  Everyone is heading outside with the return of some nice weather.  Fresh air is great for you and so is the exercise.  But getting too much sun is not good.  Too much sun can damage your skin.   And damage to your skin from the sun can add up.  Sun exposure can lead to serious problems like skin cancer.

The sun emits radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to X-rays.  The part of the spectrum we are interested in are the Ultra-violet wavelengths.  There are 2 types of UV radiation we talk about with skin damage, UVA and UVB.  Sun burn is most often caused by UVB.  UVA & UVB can both cause premature skin aging, sunburn and skin cancer.

The Food and Drug Administration in the US is going to require changes in the labeling of sunscreens within the next year.  In the US sunscreens will no longer be labeled “Sunblock”, and they can’t claim immediate protection upon application.  The FDA thinks “sunblock” implies too much protection.  If the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB and has an SPF of 15 or greater, it can be labeled as “Broad Spectrum”.  The FDA also won’t allow a sunscreen to claim an SPF of greater than 50 as they feel there is no evidence that numbers above 50 have any real meaning.  Sunscreens won’t be able to say they are “water proof” or “sweat proof”.  The will only be able to say they are water resistant.  The label must state how long they are water resistant for.  The two labeling options will be water resistant for 40 minutes or water resistant for 80 minutes.

From the point of view of preventing skin cancer, the best thing to do would be for everyone to lock themselves into a dark closet and only come out at night.  But since not all of us have comfortable walk-in closets, here are some more practical suggestions.

• Avoid the sun when it is most intense.  These are between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
• Wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against both UVA and UVB
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors, especially after swimming or sweating heavily.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim and long-sleeved shirt.

I got lucky with Buck and Shadow.  At first, I was terrified when Buck caught the poor dog, and shook it around by the throat for a few seconds.  But, Buck released the dog unharmed and it ran away home.  Even though they dragged me down the street, and Buck caught the dog he was chasing, everything ended well.  But you shouldn’t rely on luck to protect you.  A little sunscreen now before you hurry out the door into the sunshine, could prevent the malamute sized bite of skin cancer later.

FDA Sunscreen labeling rules: www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM258910.pdf

Malamutes : www.malamute.org/index_Info.htm

As always if you have any questions or concerns about these or other products, ask your pharmacist.

The information in this article is intended as a helpful guide only.  It is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice.  If you have any questions about your medications and what is right for you see your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional.

We now have this and most other articles published in the Parkland Shopper on our Website.  Please visit us at www.dcp.ca

By Trevor Shewfelt.  Recorded by the nice people at 730 CKDM, The Parkland’s Best Music

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By Trevor Shewfelt, Pharmacist at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy

We now have this and most other articles published in the Parkland Shopper on our Website.  Please visit us at www.dcp.ca

 The information in this article is intended as a helpful guide only.  It is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice.  If you have any questions about your medications and what is right for you see your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional.

 There has been some good news lately about skin cancer.  Dr. Gordon Jung and colleagues at the University of Alberta published a study in the April issue of the British Journal of Dermalology.  They looked at Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers in Alberta from 1988 through 2007.  In women they found these skin cancers increased until 2000 and then the rates leveled off.  They found in men the cancer rates leveled off in 2001 and then actually went down.  The researchers are hoping that the decrease is due to people listening to all the public health messages about reducing sun exposure.

Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in Canada, and the fastest growing cancer in the world.  The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that 75,500 people will be diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer in 2010.  Risk factors for developing non-melanoma skin cancer include: exposure to the sun, light-coloured skin, eyes and hair, and a previous history of skin cancer.

 The Canadian Dermatology Association recommends:

• Plan outdoor activities before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m. The sun’s rays are at their strongest between these hours. It’s easy to remember – during these hours your shadow is shorter than you are.
• GOLFERS: Choose a high SPF product – 30 – 60 – that offers greater protection as you may be out for more than four hours. Use a golf umbrella or golf cart for personal shade. If possible, wait for play in shaded, treed areas.
• Cover your arms and legs. Covering your skin will protect it from the sun. Choose clothing that is: loose fitting; tightly woven; and lightweight.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat  (3 inches or 7.5 cm). Most skin cancers occur on the face and neck. This area needs extra protection. So a hat with a wide brim that covers your head, face, ears and neck is needed. Hats without a wide brim, like baseball caps, do not give you enough protection.
• Use a sunscreen with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) SPF 30 or higher. Look for “broad spectrum” on the label. This means that the sunscreen offers protection against two types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB.  Don’t forget to use SPF 30, broad spectrum lip balm as well.
• Apply sunscreen generously, 20 minutes before outdoor activities. Reapply often – at least every 2 hours (and after swimming or exercise that makes you perspire). No sunscreen can absorb all of the sun’s rays. Use sunscreen along with shade, clothing and hats – not instead of them. Use sunscreen as a backup in your sun protection plan.

 We have been hearing these sun protection warnings for years.  The good news is that if the Alberta study is right, we are starting to listen.  Keep up the good work.

For More Information visit:

The Canadian Cancer Society:                           www.cancer.caThe Canadian Dermatology Association         www.dermatology.ca

As always if you have any questions or concerns about these or other products, ask your pharmacist.

By Trevor Shewfelt.  Recorded by the nice people at 730 CKDM, The Parkland’s Best Music

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By Trevor Shewfelt, Pharmacist at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy

We now have this and most other articles published in the Parkland Shopper on our Website.  Please visit us at www.dcp.ca

The information in this article is intended as a helpful guide only.  It is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice.  If you have any questions about your medications and what is right for you see your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional.

The camera pans in on a frazzled looking middle aged guy buried in paper on his desk.  The name plate on the desk identifies him as the “Senior Accounts Manager”.  The door to his office opens.  In walks an older gentleman and a young dynamic fellow.  The older gentleman is heard saying, “…and this what the offices look like.  Of course the décor can be changed to your liking…” and the older man wanders out of the office.  The young man smiles, introduces himself and shakes the hand of the man behind the desk.   The man behind the desk says,  “Welcome to the company.  What position did you get anyway?”.  The young man answers, “Senior Accounts Manager” and leaves the room.  Across the bottom of the screen scrolls, “After 50, watch your behind!”  I love that commercial.  And apparently March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. 

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common form of cancer in Manitoba.  We had 800 new cases of CRC and 360 deaths from CRC in the province in 2009.  Men have a 1 in 14 lifetime chance of getting CRC and women have a 1 in 15 chance.  The reason for the “After 50, watch your behind” slogan is because 93% of cases of CRC happen after the age of 50.  Like many cancers, the earlier it is caught, the easier it is to treat.

So why don’t we talk about CRC if it is so common?  Frankly, it has to do with the butt and that embarrasses us.  And, for myself at least, the test that is talked about for CRC doesn’t sound pleasant.  The most common test is still the colonoscopy during which a camera goes where the sun doesn’t shine.  The colonoscopy isn’t just a theoretical bad thing for me either.  I’ve got some colon cancer and colon polyps in my family tree.  After I turn fifty, I fear someone will be watching my behind from a whole new angle.

Although it may not eliminate my future need for a colonoscopy, I was happy to hear about the ColonCheck Manitoba program.  If you are between 50 and 74 you can call 1-866-744-8961 and ColonCheck Manitoba will ask you a few questions.  They will ask things like if you age, if your have a colonscopy in the last 5 years and if you currently have colorectal cancer.  If you qualify, ColonCheck Manitoba will send you a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) in the mail that you can do at home.  I think that is great.  It means squimish people like me can still watch their behind while getting colonoscopies less often.

What is a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)?  A FOBT is basically a stick that lets you sample a little bit of your poop, seal it up and send it to the lab.  The ColonCheck Manitoba people will contact you directly and will send the results to your family doctor if you have one.  The test is looking to see if there is any hidden blood in your poop.  Blood in your poop can be a warning sign of polyps in your colon or colorectal cancer.  So if the FOBT comes back positive, you will be asked to get a colonoscopy to see what is going on.  If  the FOBT comes back negative, you should be able to skip the colonoscopy for at least 2 years.

What can you do to prevent CRC?  Besides getting screened to catch the cancer early you can exercise and eat well.  Amazing how those two things keep popping up.  You should aim to exercise at least 30 minutes per day, at least 5 days a week.  You should limit your intake of red meat and processed meats. You should get your 7-10 serving of fruits and vegetables per day.  You should drink lots of water.  You should have not more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day if you are a man and not more than 1 per day if you are a woman.

So after 50, watch your behind.  And to steal another slogan from the commercials, you should care about CRC because you don’t want to die of embarrassment.

Contact ColonCheck Manitoba at www.coloncheckmb.ca or  1-866-744-8961

As always if you have any questions or concerns about these or other products, ask your pharmacist.