Cancer Resources Screening and prevention are cornerstones of cancer control. Cancer screening tests increase the chance of finding cancer early when treatment is likely to work best. Prevention includes removing toxins, improving health and finding ways to lower the risk of developing cancer. Finding ways to lower the risk of cancer is easier when you know the facts.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT is a monthly initiative of The Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine to share information with the public about the importance of prevention. Each month we will focus on local resources, education about cancer causing agents and where to find more information.
Do You Have A Cancer Causing Roommate? New England homes are known for cellars, basements, and crawl spaces. We love the extra storage space for a family room, bar or pool table, and the old farms even have root cellars. But there is a danger lurking in the soil around your home. Radon: a radioactive, odorless, colorless gas is seeping into some homes and is a known cause of lung cancer. Radon is quiet, neat and never leaves a light on, but you don’t want this toxic gas in your home. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and 2nd leading cause in smokers. Read that again. Prevention is the best treatment for cancer. If you can lower your risk it is worth the time to get tested. Testing is cheap and Maine has several options for reducing your home’s exposure. While exposure is likely and small amounts may be safe, if you are a smoker and your home has high radon levels, your risk for lung cancer is extremely high. Radon occurs from Uranium that naturally decays underground. Uranium is a common element in the earth’s core and New England is known to have elevated radon levels from this element. Because it is impossible to detect by smell or sight, and there are no symptoms to show exposure to radon, testing your home’s air and water is the only way to know. There are also simple urine tests to check your body’s heavy metal load of Mercury, Lead and Uranium if you do find higher levels in your home.
Reducing exposure, known as mitigation, involves sealing cracks, improving ventilation or treating water/air where they enter the home. Some homes will test positive for air, water or both. It is important to contact a water system installer to discuss the most cost effective options or the NRSB National Radon Safety Board or the Maine State Radon Office. For more information about testing visit the Maine Indoor Air Quality Council https://maineindoorair.org/radon/ About the Author Ann Morrell is a practicing Registered Nurse and Health Content Writer. Her varied 12+ years of nursing experience ensure that her content provides technical information with practical insights.