Mrs. Lanet James of the Advisory Council to Elder-Care Services of the Big Bend was the guest speaker at the Feb. 2 meeting of the Chipley Kiwanis Club.

 

James, who was recently honored as Jackson County's 'Citizen of the Year' told Kiwanians of her three trials with cancer, her faith in God and a vision to save "just one life" with a grass roots campaign to educate women and men about breast cancer awareness.

 

James and her husband Leland have dealt with the consequences of cancer seven time; he, with his loss of two wives and his daughter, and Lanet three times a survivor and currently under treatment.

 

Breast cancer has a 97% cure rate when found early in a localized state.  This disease if the No. 2 cause of death in women.  The odds of any women having breast cancer increase from 1/257 at age 30-40, 1/67 age 40-50, 1/36 age 50-60 to 1/8 70 years or more. Sometimes girls as young as 13 have been diagnosed in spite of these statistics.  Mothers should teach their daughters about warning signs.

 

The disease has reached a plateau over the last ten years.  This improvement in stabilization of new cases is the result of early diagnosis by mammogram and self exam, along with improved treatments including sentinel node biopsy, digital mammogram, MRS, mammosite and lavage procedure and tramflap reconstruction.

 

The areas largest breast cancer awareness symposium will be held Oct. 14-21 at the Marianna Agricultural Center on Pennsylvania Avenue.  Attendees there will hear from other cancer survivors about their personal trials and triumphs, health care providers will teach techniques for self exam and treatment options for both men and women.

 

Dr. Steve Stokes of Marianna is on board the Cancer Cure and Prevention Wagon with his 40 foot mobile van that can deliver a wide range of health related products including a digital machine with testing for colon cancer, prostate, diabetes and vascular screening, as well as mammograms.  His mobile staff can serve up to 20 on site with billing to insurance provided.

 

James emphasized that all women with breast cancer in particular need the loving support from their husbands and other family members and close friends to help them deal with this very personal assault on their health and self image.

 

Breast cancer prevention can include exercise and proper weight control.  Higher fat contents will produce greater concentrations of the hormone estrogen which cancer likes.  A plan to eliminate or restrict alcohol and tobacco and to deal with stress effectively helps stave off cancer.  A diet with 5 daily servings of raw and cooked vegetables and fruits is recommended.  Meats consumed fried and grilled at high temperatures that are so tasty should be limited.

 

Women at risk for breast cancer will include those who experience early onset of menarche, who are over 30 with their first pregnancy, late menopause over 50, those with fewer children and/or who have been treated with hormone replacement therapy over ten years.

 

All women and men who notice any change in the size or shape of either breast, or if they have any nipple or skin changes, should see their doctor right away. Men can develop breast cancer too.

 

The Breast Care Awareness Symposium has been held so far in Enterprise, Alabama, soon in Marianna and will be reaching out to several women's prisons.  According to Lanet James, "God never makes a mistake."  Mrs. James has taken tragedy added faith and produced love in action.  Kiwanians applaud her service and pray for her continued recovery.  Lanet James can be contracted at (850) 482-4573 or lanetjames@hotmail.com.

 

The Kiwanis Club of Chipley has been providing support to youth oriented events and programs for 69 years and last year supported 36 organizations throughout the county.  The club meets Tuesdays at Pattillos's Restaurant in the middle of the Washington-Holmes Technical Center (WHTC) at noon. For an invitation to lunch, contact any Kiwanian or call Mark Collins, Membership Chairperson at (850) 258-9453 or visit out website www.chipleykiwanis.com

 

 

 

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