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COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Early detection does save lives Early detection of breast cancer (or any cancer) can and does save lives. This life-saving information is promoted every October, yet how many women and men remember the message during the rest of the year, because every month women need to get to know their body and become “breast aware.” Most breast cancers are detected through routine or regular breast self-examinations or by accident. The bottom line is the earlier cancer is detected, the better chance of successful recovery using less invasive treatments with a lower risk of recurrence or death. Not every breast change or “lump” is breast cancer, in fact most are not, however it is important to report anything different to your physician in case it is. Every woman is at risk to develop breast cancer – just being a woman and getting older raises the risk factor. There is an increase of breast cancers in the 50-79 age groups and more are being found in younger women between the ages of 20 and 49 and in men. Unfortunately breast cancers in younger women and men tend to be more aggressive and may need prompt and more aggressive treatment. Everyone should be aware of his or her family medical history. If there is cancer in the family, share the information with your physician and family members, write it down and put it with important papers. Don’t take unnecessary chances with your life, learn to become aware and familiar with the “look” and “feel” of your breasts, know their contours and skin textures. Clinics are held monthly by the Comox Valley Breast Health GroupBSE Clinics. Women are taught methods of self-examination in private with guidance from professional, trained instructors providing a baseline so when doing regular breast self-exams, changes will be easier to detect. It’s free and no referral is necessary. Make an appointment for private instruction in breast
self-examination by calling C.V. Nursing Centre at 250-331-8504 (ext. 38115) or sign up at St. Joseph’s mammography department. Mammography is another tool used for early detection. The X-Ray can see into breast tissue and find deeper, smaller changes undetectable by fingers or eyes. St. Joseph’s Hospital has an updated digital mammography machine and women can make appointments by calling 250-890-3020 there is no referral necessary and no charge. A doctor will recommend an ultrasound if necessary. Ultrasound and breast thermography are breast scans that are pain-free and radiation-free. For more information on thermograph clinics, call 250-947-5424. ••• Come to the Breast Health Awareness Forum on Oct. 26 at the Best Western Plus Westerly Hotel and Convention Centre at 6:30 p.m. for more information.
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International students welcomed The Comox Valley School District and North Island College hosted a soon-to-beannual event recently. Every year the Comox Valley is blessed with the arrival of new international students of all ages and new immigrants and the format of the event was to welcome them to Canada. The event was hosted at Simms Millennium Park in Courtenay and the sun burst through the rainclouds to allow everyone to enjoy the beautiful setting and the proceedings. The dignitaries were piped in by Connie Davies and the procession had a rear guard of three RCMP constables in red serge — Consts. Tori Cliffe, Troy Godard and Perry Snyder. The RCMP officers’ presence was an absolute highlight as many had a photo op with them during the afternoon. After the 150 participants sang O Canada, our new Canadians and guest
students were welcomed in their own language and then by the dignitaries. Fran Prince of the K’ómoks First Nation was resplendent in her regalia and welcomed everyone to their territorial and traditional lands. Then each of the four “mayors” had a few words of welcome and spoke to the pride and privilege of having everyone joining us in the Comox Valley. The event was loosely termed the Mayors’ Welcome, as it was too complicated to say the three mayors and the chairperson of the Comox Valley Regional District. Edwin Grieve had a good chuckle over his new ‘handle.’ Then to complete the formal welcome, Jan Currie, vice-president education at North Island College, and Sheila Shanahan, assistant superintendent of SD71, each said a few words. Next up was the big race between the four mayors – wearing fancy stove top Canada hats they raced one another
around a course with egg and spoon in hand. At stake was which mayor would lead every procession in the future. Steve Knight stepped in for his honour, Fred Bates (who unfortunately had a personal family tragedy that day), and after lots of smooth moves and jostling among Paul Ives, Greg Phelps and Grieve, young Steve won the race. The enthusiasm in the crowd was high and Luke Blu Guthrie then led the crowd in a singalong highlighting This Land is Your Land and You are My Sunshine. Next, the way was cleared for multi-age, multi-national teams to participate in the big egg race relay. To finish the afternoon, all the guests, which included host families, mixed and mingled to the sound of Guthrie’s music and
vocals, ate the food offerings, picked up their goodie bag provided by the Chamber of Commerce, took lots
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of photos, and generally enjoyed the ambience we in the Comox Valley are able to offer. — School District 71
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