From: gerritse@king.dist7040.rotary.org (Terry Gerritsen)
Newsgroups: ont.general
Subject: Health
Date: 15 Aug 92 12:11:27 GMT
Reply-To: king!gerritse@vicuna.ocunix.on.ca (Terry Gerritsen)
Distribution: ont
Organization: Kingston Rotary System, Kingston, ON (613) 546-3078



           If the following common diseases run in your      
 family, learn how you can lower your risks and improve          
 your health and longevity.

 *  HEART DISEASE:  If older members of your family have 
 experienced coronary artery disease before age 55, it is
 highly likely that other family memberss will as well.
 Arteriosclerotic plaques, a leading cause of heart attack,
 can be the result of deficiencies in lipid metabolism, as
 well as family dietary habits.  To lower your risk, eat 
 low-fat foods, exercise regulary, and have your blood
 screened for cholesterol levels every one to five years.

 *  HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: If one parent has high blood 
 pressure, there is a 50 percent likelihood that a offspring
 will have it. If both parents have high blood pressure, the
 risk to their offspring increases to 90 percent. Adults
 should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year;
 the disease is often symptomless until the blood pressure
 becomes dangerously high.

 *  COLON CANCER:  A clear progression of genetic changes leads
 to colon cancer. While only a few "bad" genes may be inherited
 from parents, other changes seem to occur spontaneously. If
 colon cancer runs in your family you should have annual tests
 for blood in the stool beginning at age 30. You will also lower
 your risk by following a low-fat, high-fiber diet.

 * BREAST CANCER:  Both men and women are at risk for developing
 breast cancer if relatives have been treated for it. Women who 
 never had children and those who delay childbirth until after 
 age 30 are also at increased risk. Sisters of women who developed
 breast cancer before age 45 have an eight-fold increase in risk.
 For women with family histories, the American Cancer Society
 recommends monthly breast self-examination and annual mammograms
 beginning at age 35. Men with family histories should also perform
 regular breast self-exams.

 * CERVICAL CANCER:  All women are at risk for developing cervical
 cancer, especially those whose family history shows a record of it,
 and those with genital warts. Annual pap smears, beginning at age 
 18, and annual pelvic exams are very effective in detecting early
 cervical cancer.

 * DIABETES: A family history of diabetes increases a person's risk
 four to 10 times. While the patterns of inheritance have not yet 
 been determined to adequately identify someone as "prediabetic,"
 genetic and environmental factors such as obesity and physical
 inactivity are known to contribute to the developement of the 
 most common forms. For high-risk individuals, it is important to
 maintain a lean body through diet and exercise and have a yearly
 fasting blood test to measure plasma glucose.

 * OSTEOPOROSIS: Reasearch suggests that some forms of osteoporosis
 may be inherited. To avoid old-age fractures, build up your calcium
 and bone reserves by exercising routinely and making sure you are
 getting sufficient calcium and vitamin D in your diet or through
 multivitamin supplements. Menopausal women should check wwith their
 physicians about beginning estrogen therapy, which lowers the risk
 of osteoporotic fractures.
 Remember that lifestyle choices play a role in the developement
 of many diseases. Regular exercise and a balanced diet help.
 Diagnostic testing can also help or reduce a disease's severity.

 * Written by Lair Jackson M.D., who is Director of the Center
 for Genetics and Fetal Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University
 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.






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Terry A. Gerritsen          (Rotary Club of Kingston)
Kingston, ON
(613)546-3078               ( Look beyond yourself )
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Newsgroups: ont.general,can.general,soc.culture.canada,ott.general