Cary no longer talking about buying golf course
Saturday, JaNuary 12, 2013
www.NwHerald.com
AMErICAN proFILE • INSIDE The only daily newspaper published in McHenry Co.
Local&region, B1
75 ceNtS
FVC Fox • SportS, C1
American novels that became film classics
Woodstock boys edge CL Central in fight for 1st place
Listening Deadly but beatable important to Roskam pROstAte CANCeR AWAReNess
Early detection key to surviving, say patients and docs
Third-term U.S. rep new to many in McHenry County
Editor’s Note: This is the second in an occasional series of profiles on new state and national legislators who’ve been elected to serve our readership area.
By LAWeReNCe sYNett
peter Roskam Republican representative of the 6th Congressional District, which was redrawn after the 2010 census to include Algonquin Township.
lsynett@shawmedia.com
Josh Peckler – jpeckler@shawmedia.com
Verlene Ducey of mcHenry sits inside her late husband Christopher’s 1954 Ford Crestline convertible at her home. Christopher lost his battle with prostate cancer in October. Verlene painted a blue ribbon on his car to bring awareness of prostate cancer. By LAWeReNCe sYNett lsynett@shawmedia.com
McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi vividly remembers the day he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was eight years ago – and just four days after he had announced his candidacy to be the county’s top prosecutor. He withdrew from the race, not knowing whether he would survive. “Your first thought is that you aren’t going to live as long,” Bianchi, 69, said. “Most people fear that ‘c’ word. As the shock wears off a little bit, you have to understand that you have to look at the alternatives and see what options are out there.” Because the cancer Lou Bianchi was detected early, Bi- Prostate cananchi learned, his sur- cer survivor vival rate was high if his prostate was removed. He had the surgery and was declared cancer-free months later. “It’s all about early detection,” Bianchi said. “I will never forget what the doctor said to me after the surgery, ‘Your report is to get back in the race.’ I went back to work and resumed my campaign.”
Bianchi is one of tens of thousands of men each year diagnosed with prostate cancer, the most common cancer in American men other than skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. But emphasis placed on early detection and swift treatments have many experts confident they can keep the disease in check.
BY tHE NUMBErS
More than 240,000 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in 2012, according to the cancer society, and more than 28,000 died last year. It is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in American men, behind lung cancer. One in six men will be diagnosed with the disease in his lifetime; twothirds of those diagnosed are 65 or older. The average age of diagnosis is 67 years old. Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40. Survival rates vary based on how far the cancer has progressed when diagnosed. In the local stage or regional stage, when the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate or has spread only to nearby areas, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute.
see CANCeR, page A4
LoCALLY SpEAKING
By the numbers
240k
The number of new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in 2012, according to the cancer society.
28k 1 iN 6
At least the number of men who died of prostate cancer in 2012.
lifetimes.
2/3
Number of men who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their
Number of men diagnosed that are age 65 or older.
Source: American Cancer Society
Voice your opinion Do you know someone who’s been affected by prostate cancer? Vote online at NWHerald.com.
McHENrY
LOCAL CONsuLtANt keeps it simpLe
McHenry resident Janet Burton has gone from party hostess to consultant thanks to Tastefully Simple, a national direct sales company. She holds tasting parties throughout McHenry County, where guests can sample products and receive recipes, serving suggestions and entertaining tips. For more, see page E1.
Jim Dallke - jdallke@shawmedia.com
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Complete forecast on A6
ELGIN: Sen. Dick Durbin talks student loan debt with officials at Elgin Community College. Local&Region, B1
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Rep. Peter Roskam is in his third term in the U.S. House, but the politician is a fresh face to many McHenry County residents because his 6th Congressional District was redrawn to include Algonquin Township. The Republican, who lives in west suburban Wheaton with his wife of 24 years,
Elizabeth, also serves as chief deputy whip of the House. In that role, he has been dubbed the “listener in chief.” “This leadership role requires that to accomplish anything, you need 218 people to agree on something,” said Roskam, 51.
see ROskAm, page A4
Economic future bleak as Illinois takes fiscal hit By JOHN O’CONNOR The Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD – A major credit rating agency has soured on the economic forecast for Illinois after another failed attempt this week to rectify the $96 billion pension system deficit. Fitch Ratings announced Friday that it has relabeled Illinois’ financial outlook to “negative” from “stable.” The outlook does not affect Fitch’s opinion of the state’s credit worthiness, still listed as “A.” That’s two steps below the grade for the best-quality borrowers – sound, but reflective of a climate where state finances are vulnerable to economic changes. The announcement serves as an advance warning to
see CReDit, page A4
AP photo
Gov. pat Quinn speaks to reporters on pension reform legislation while in his office tuesday at the illinois state Capitol in springfield. A major credit rating agency has soured on the economic forecast for illinois after another failed attempt this week to rectify the $96 billion pension system deficit.