Memphis, Tenn., April 14, 2000 - The Baptist Cancer Institute Life Center, located at 50 Humphreys Blvd. Suite 47, in Memphis, is offering a variety of presentations, classes, support groups and other resources during the month of May.

Call the Life Center at (901) 226-3771 (5433) to make reservations for free health seminars on how to safeguard your family's health and well-being- from discussing stress to fighting cancer. Walk-ins are welcome at the Life Center between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, to browse the resource library of information on cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. Free brochures on all types of cancer are available.

The Baptist Cancer Institute is funded in part from donations to the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation. The BCI is one of only 48 community programs that has a research program, support services and cancer prevention. Activities offered at the BCI Life Center are free and open to the public.

Understanding the Amazing Connection of GENETICS and CANCER PREVENTION
Friday, May 5 at 1 p.m.
Eric Fowler, MS, CGC, director of CARES/genetics program at Baptist Cancer Institute

• Review the basics of genetics, cancer, and how the two topics are related.
• Examine why clusters of cancer occur in some families.
• Explore how recent discoveries in genetics may impact lifestyle choices and medical decision making in people at increased risk to develop cancer.
• Discuss how genetics is impacting cancer prevention and cancer care.

• Giving love and attention - a kindred spirit.
• Factors contributing to difficulties in dealing with cancer.
• Listening - Greatest tools are our ears!
• Validation - Importance of being understood.
• Genuineness.
• Empower/control.
• Ongoing support.

• What is true happiness?
• Finding the source of happiness.
• Practical secrets found in how we chose to live our lives:
  -Making an active intention to be happy.
  -Being accountable for our own actions, thoughts and feelings.
  -Identifying what is important in life.
  -Finding meaning in the happenings of life - the good as well as the bad.
  -Being flexible and open to options.
  -Appreciating life and the preciousness of every individual.
  -Being a giver.
  -Being truthful to others and ourselves.
  

• A dazzling smile/A dull smile.
• Advantages/Disadvantages of treatment options.
• Procedures.
• Your gums need special care.
• Periodontal evaluation/home care/therapy/surgical options.
• Replacing damaged or missing teeth.
• Capping the tooth/filling the gap/partial dentures.
• Are implants for you?
• Ongoing dental care.

• What is dizziness?
• What is vertigo?
• Anatomy of balance.
• Medical evaluation.
• Further diagnostic tests.
• Possible causes of dizziness and vertigo.
• Tips and follow-up care.

• Humor can change lives and relationships.
• Strategies for bringing humor into our lives on a daily basis.
• Natural obstacles to using humor.
• Using humor to manage stress.
• Ways humor can change perception.
• Humor's power to defuse anger.
• Benefits of using humor to live joyful, balanced lives.

• Eat low on the food chain.
• Add variety to your diet.
• The food pyramid.
• The antioxidant superstars.
• Minimize potentially harmful additives.
• Know your grains.
• Limit your fats and eat the right ones.
• Serving sizes.
• The Unified Dietary Guidelines - the endorsed standard guidelines for protection from four of the most common and potentially critical conditions: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

• Come prepared.
• Do some homework.
• Make up a list of questions.
• Provide your doctor with written information.
• Be forthcoming about your concerns.
• Share your anxieties with your doctor.
• Discuss your expectations.
• Double-check your instructions.
• If you're not satisfied, let the right people know.

• Your Thyroid Gland.
  -Problems: An underactive thyroid. (common symptoms)
  -An overactive thyroid. (common symptoms)
  -Thyroid nodules.
  -Treating thyroid problems.
  -What is a goiter?
• The Healthy Thyroid.
  -Keeping your body working right.
  -Thyroid hormone: The Thyroid's Messenger.
• Your Evaluation.
  -Medical history.
  -Physical exam.
  -Blood tests.
  -Tests.
  -Fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
• Treating Thyroid Problems.
  -Treating hypothyroidism.
  -Treating hyperthyroidism.
  -Treating nodules and goiter.
• If You Need Surgery.
  -Preparing for surgery.
  -Risks and complications of thyroid surgery.
  -The surgical procedure.
  -After the procedure.
• Recovering After Surgery.
  -While you're healing.
  -When to call your doctor.
• Back to Feeling Good.

• The older we get, the fewer the calories we need.
• How do you get more nutrients on fewer calories?
• Foods to enjoy and foods to limit.
• A guide of vitamins and minerals and their function and recommended amounts.
• Super nutrition tricks and tips for staving off malnourishment in later years.

• Becoming a butterfly: Learning and applying the lessons of mid-life.
• Normalizing the mid-life process; a search for wholeness.
• Issues of life: aging; death loss (parents, spouse, friends, etc.); divorce; career transition; money; health; empty nest.
• Linking the past and future to present contentment (exercises dealing with celebrating change, exercising our creativity).
• Spirituality: listening to God, growing in love.
• Embracing Life is a Spirit of Joy and Wonder!
• Becoming a butterfly: sharing your wisdom with others.

• Holistic medicine as contrasted with Western medical model.
• Philosophy of herbal healing.
• Appropriate use of herbs, becoming informed as to their usage.
• Why herbs don't work sometimes.
• Navigating the herbal marketplace - What's in all those little bottles anyway?

• Understanding Cancer and Chemotherapy.
  -What is cancer?
  -How chemotherapy works.
  -Where side effects most often occur.
  -Why side effects occur.
  -The treatment cycle.
  -The goals of chemotherapy.
  -Risks and complications.
• Receiving Your Treatment.
  -Your IV experience.
  -How you receive IV chemotherapy.
  -When to call the doctor.
• Managing Side Effects.
  -Reduce risk of infection.
  -Prevent bleeding.
  -Treat anemia.
  -Control nausea.
  -Adapt to skin and hair changes.
  -Reduce diarrhea and constipation.
  -Care for mouth sores.
  -Fight fatigue.
  -Cope with numbness.
  -When to call the doctor.
• Questions and Answers.
  -Will I still be able to work?
  -Should I exercise?
  -Will I be affected sexually?
• Eating Right to Feel Better.
  -Fluids.
  -Protein.
  -Calories.
• Eating Right During Treatment.
  -Go easy on yourself.
  -Use a new approach.
  -Let others help.
• Communicating Your Feelings and Needs.
  -Be open and honest.
  -Ease their awkwardness.
  -Expect different reactions.
  -Your need for privacy.
• Look to Sources of Help.
  -Resources/Support groups.

Support Groups

QUIT! (Quit Using Icky Tobacco) is a smoking cessation program designed to help smokers stop smoking permanently. Sessions meet every Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Beautiful Bundles is a support group for new moms and their babies. Sessions meet every Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

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