“Walk 4 Loved Ones – Walk 4 Cancer Prevention” on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Southwyck Lake Park, Northfork Drive and Shelby Drive (2600 Shelby Dr), Silverlake, Pearland, Texas 77584.

Registration: On-line registration available through website www.africacancercareinc.org.  Online registration ends February 18,   2012.    Onsite Registration: Avaliable  at Southwyck Lake Park.  Onsite Registration begins at 7:30.00 a.m.  Note:  Cash or check only accepted at on-site registration.

Walk starts at 9.00 a.m.

Entrance Fee: $200.00 Group (a group consists of 10) and $25.00 individuals. Groups can be more than 10 .  Four largest groups win door prizes
No transfers and no refunds of entry fees will be given.    

Parking: Parking is available at the Silver Lake Elementary on County Road 90 (South of 518) and Silver Creek Elementary on Southwyck Pkwy, across from the Golf Course. On 518 going East,  turn right on County road 94 and left on Southwyck pkwy.  Silver Creek Elementary will be on the left.

Walk Route: Walk will be kicked off at Southwyck Lake Park going West on North Folk,  South on  County Road 90, East on County Road 59, North on County Road 94, East on  Southwyck  Road, North on county road 90 and East on North Folk, ending at the Southwyck Lake Park on Shelby Drive.

Directions: Southwyck Park Lake – located one block south of FM 518 (aka Broadway) between County Road 90  and county road 89 (Old Chocolate Bayou).  From Houston, take Hwy 288 South – Past Beltway 8 and exit FM 518.  Take FM 518 and travel east. Turn Right on County Road 94 and left on Southwyck Pkwy and park at Silver Creek Elementary or drive further south to county road 90 and turn right and park at Silver Lake Elementary on the right side. From Alvin, go 288 North and Exit County Road 59.  Turn right on County Road 59, left on County road 94, and right on Southwyck Pkwy.  Silver Creek Elementary will be on the left across from the Golf Course.

For more details, please call 713-995-8000 or check Africa Cancer Care Inc. website.

Cancer, A Growing Problem in Africa

Walk 4 Loved Ones-Walk/Run 4 A Cause                   

 Walk Toward Prevention/Awareness for Breast, Cervical, Colon, Lung and Prostate Cancers.

Date: February 25, 2012                                           

 Location: Southwyck Lake Park, 2600 Shelby Dr. Silverlake          

(Between Northfolk and Shelby Drive)                            

Pearland, Texas 77584                                                    

  Time: 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

 February is Cancer Prevention month. We at ACCI are devoted to fighting cancer through prevention and early detection. Prevention, key to fight against cancer!! Early detection, key to Cancer Survival!!     Join the Walk 4 loved ones. Walk 4 your wife, husband, mom, dad, brother, sister or a friend.

Proceeds to Benefit: Medical Mission to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. ACCI will be donating hospital Equipments to St. Ann’s Bay Hospital in Ocho Rio; Local Screening Events & those with Cancer; Medical Missions to Promote Cancer Awareness, Screening, Treatment, Surgery, Education and Capacity Building.
     Sponsor-Support-Participate-Register-Donate-Volunteer

SPRING MEDICAL MISSION

Location: Ocho Rios, Jamaica W.I.  During this mission, ACCI will be donating a container load of hospital equipments to St. Ann’s Bay Hospital.

Date: March 24-April 3, 2012

LOCAL SCREENING EVENTS

 NATIONAL CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING -Event Cancelled

January Cervical Cancer Screening Event scheduled for January 28, 2012 has been cancelled due to unforseen circumstances at the venue.  We apologise for any inconviniences this may have caused.  Please join us at our screening event in April. 

MINORITY CANCER AWARENESS WEEK, APRIL 22-28, 2012

To mark this week, ACCI will conduct free Pap Smear and clinical breast examination for women in the Houston area.

Location: 6011 Telephone Road, Houston TX, 77087 

Date: April 28, 2012

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

OTHER SCREENING DATES FOR 2012

July 14, 2012: Breast, Cervical and Prostate Cancr

October 27, 2012: Breast and Cervical Cancer

CANCER PREVENTION SEMINAR       

Location: TBA

Date: September 14-16, 2012

FALL MEDICAL MISSION 

Location: Imo State Nigeria 

Date: September 29 – October 10, 2012

Date: March 24-April 3, 2012

We are accepting volunteers.  To volunteer, go to home page and clic on volunteer to complete volunteer application.

Date: January 28, 2012

Location: Fifth Ward Church of Christ, 4308 Stonewall street

Houston TX, 77020

Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Requirements: Pap Smear for women ages 21 and above.

Breast Exam: women ages 35 and above.  Picture ID and letter of support or proof of income required.

Call for appointment: 713-995-8000.  First come first served.

Registration begins at 8.00 a.m.

Walk starts at 9.00 a.m.

Entrance Fee: $200.00 Group (a group consists of 10) and $25.00 individuals. Groups can be more than 10 .  Four largest groups win door prizes
No transfers and no refunds of entry fees will be given.  On-line registration available through website www.africacancercareinc.org.  Online registration ends February 18, 2012.  On-site registration:  Available.  Note:  Cash or check only accepted at on-site registration.

Parking: Parking is available at Silver Creek Elementary on Southwyck Road, across from the Golf Course. 

 Onsite Registration: At Silver Creek Elementary.

Walk Route: Walk will be kicked off at Southwyck Lake Park going West on North Folk,  South on  County Road 90, East on County Road 59, North on County Road 94, East on  Southwyck  Road, North on county road 90 and East on North Folk, ending at the Southwyck Lake Park on Shelby Drive.   

Directions: Silver Lake Elementary - located one block south of FM 518 (aka Broadway) between County Road 90 and County Road 94 ( Southwyck Road across from the golf course) Southwyck Park Lake – located one block south of FM 518 (aka Broadway) between County Road 90  and county road 89 (Old Chocolate Bayou).  From Houston, take Hwy 288 South – Past Beltway 8 and exit FM 518.  Take FM 518 and travel east. Turn Right on County Road 94 and left on Southwyck Road or drive further south to county road 90 and turn right then right on Southwyck Road. From Alvin, go 288 North and Exit County Road 59.  Turn right on County Road 59, left on County road 94, and right on Southwyck road.  Silver Creek Elementary will be on the left across from the Golf Course.

For more details, please call 713-995-8000 or check Africa Cancer Care Inc. website.

Scheduled for Jamaica, West Indies.  Date : March 24-April 3, 2012.

 CHECK-OUT ACCI’S CANCER PREVENTION TIPS  

Cancer prevention: At ACCI, we strongly believe that prevention, early detection, and targeted therapy are the ways forward to win the fight against cancer.   Here are some tips for cancer prevention

By Dr. Eucharia Iwuanyanwu, PA-C

There are lots of information out there on cancer prevention.  However, below are the essential things that will definitely help.  Theses when combined with routine screening and being alert to unusual occurrences in your body with prompt medical follow-up, will certainly make remarkable difference. Consider seven real-life cancer prevention tips.

1. Avoid tobacco and smoking

Using any form of tobacco product puts one at increased risk for cancer.  Tobacco products and smoking (including secondhand smoking) have been linked to several cancers to include: breast, cervix, lung, kidney, bladder, oral including esophageal/head and neck) and pancreatic cancers.

To decrease your risk of cancer, chewing tobacco or smoking should be avoided.  Staying away from those who smoke will also help.  Protect our children by not smoking around them will make them healthy adults. 

2.  Healthy Eating

Even though not guaranteed, making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can help in make a difference in cancer prevention.  It can reduce your risk of some cancers.

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Ones diet should be rich in fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources — such as whole grains and beans.
• Limit fat. Endeavour to eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-fat foods, particularly those from animal sources. High-fat diets tend to be higher in calories and may increase the risk of overweight or obesity, which in turn can increase risk of cancer.    
• Drink alcohol in moderation.  Alcohol is known to increase the risk of various types of cancers to include: cancers of the oral cavity, head and neck, pancreas, breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver

3. Exercise

Exercise is a way to maintain healthy body weight in addition to healthy diet.  Lack of physical activity leads to weight gain and obesity both of which are risk factors of various cancers- breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney.  Exercises for 30 minutes daily should be ones daily goal.  More is even better.  Exercise can include running, brisk walks, bicycling, use of thread mills, dancing or aerobics are all good ways to exercise.

4. Sleep

Some body functions are completed during sleep at night in pitch darkness.  Adequate sleep is up to 7 hours of sleep  at night.  The body rejuvenates itself and produces biochemical materials as melatonin that helps to clean out the gut system.  Good sleep pattern helps to prevent obesity, ensures balance in body metabolic activity that could reduce the risk of colon cancers and increases the benefit of exercise in the body.   that helps to

5. Protect your skin and avoid melanoma/other skin cancers

Skin cancer is one of the most common and most preventable type of cancer.   Skin care is even most important for albinos and red headed people. Avoid skin cancer with these practices:

Avoid midday sun. Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.

Stay in the shade. When you’re outdoors, stay in the shade as much as possible. Sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat help, too.

Cover exposed areas. Wear tightly woven, loose fitting clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Opt for bright or dark colors, which reflect more ultraviolet radiation than pastels or bleached cotton.

Don’t skip on sunscreen. Use generous amounts of sunscreen when you’re outdoors, and reapply often.

Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. These are just as damaging as natural sunlight. 

6. Get immunized

Cancer prevention includes protection from certain viral infections through immunization. Talk to your doctor about immunization against:

• Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can increase the risk of developing liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is routinely given to infants. It’s also recommended for certain high-risk adults — such as adults who are sexually active but not in a mutually monogamous relationship, men who have sex with men, and health care or public safety workers who might be exposed to infected blood or body fluids.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is available to both men and women age 26 or younger who didn’t have the vaccine as an adolescent.

7. Avoid risky behaviors

Another effective cancer prevention tactic is to avoid risky behaviors that can lead to infections that are capable of increasing the risk of cancer such as

Practice safe sex. Limit your number of sexual partners, and use a condom when you do have sex. The more sexual partners you have in your lifetime, the more likely you are to contract a sexually transmitted infection — such as HIV or HPV. People who have HIV or AIDS have a higher risk of cancer of the anus, cervix, lung and immune system. HPV is most often associated with cervical cancer, but it may also increase the risk of cancer of the anus, penis, throat, vulva and vagina.  Anal sex can also increase risk of rectal cancers.

• Don’t share needles. Sharing needles with an infected drug user can lead to HIV,  hepatitis B and hepatitis C. These can in turn increase the risk of liver cancer. Sharing needles while obtaining tattoos is also a risky behavior.  You can contract any of the mentioned diseases by sharing tattooing needles with an infected person.  If you must get a tattoo, get it from a tattoo shop or saloon that is known to sterilize their equipments.  If you’re concerned about drug abuse or addiction, seek professional help.

8. Take early detection seriously

Regular self-exams and professional screening for various types of cancers — such as cancer of the skin, colon, prostate, cervix and breast — can increase your chances of discovering cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful.  Early detection is key to survival.  When you have family history of various cancers, talk to your doctor.  You may need more frequent surveillance. Ask your doctor about the best cancer screening schedule for you.  If you have family history of pancreatic cancer, be mindful of alcohol use.  It can increase your risk.  If a diabetic, pay attention to your pancreas.  There is seem to be a link that is not yet proven. Take upper abdominal pain seriously and have it checked out by your doctor. 

Take cancer prevention seriously.  Take prevention into your own hands, starting today. The rewards will last a lifetime.

•  We are always accepting Donations and looking for Volunteers. Call our office at 713-995-8000 or email us @ info@africacancercareinc.org. Supplies accepted.

 We are a 501 3c (non-profit) organization.

 The first day was spent on public education. Cancers discussed include breast, cervical and prostate cancers.  As usual, men were surprised to learn that males do have breast cancer. Dr Odo, one of the local volunteers was very eloquent as he spoke to the audience on prostate cancer. He encouraged all the men to go for routine physical exam annually during which they should be screened for prostate cancer.  Dr. Iwuanyanwu, addressing the audience, adviced that the women should save 100 naira a month and on their birthday to give themselves a gift by going for “well woman check-up” which should include clinical breast examination, Pap smear and mammogram available in Sapele and Warri General hospitals. ” That is the best gift you can give yourself”, she said.   Breast Self-exam ination was thought and models were passed around so that each person present had a chance to fell an abnormal breast lump. The rest of the day was spent consulting with the people and providing clinical breast exam, Pap smear, and digital rectal exam with occult blood test. 

We spent a week there.  Each day followed the same pattern.  Biopsies and Pap smears were interpreted by the team pathologist who is a local volunteer from Universityof Lagos teaching Hospital, Dr. Banjo.  Results where given out the last 2 days of the program.  Abnormal cases where referred to the General Hospital Warri or the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.  At the end of 5 days, we had screened 524 patients.  Minor abnomalities were treated with medications prescribed by physicians in the team and dispensed by our pharmacist, Wole Peters.  Our surgeons performed 14 minor surgeries and biopsies.  A 27 y/o male whose hydrocele was drained jumped around for joy. He told everybody around that he is so happy and grateful and that he can now walk around again.

During the screening exercise, we found 10 high grade cervical lesions and 30 low grade lesions.  We found 5 advanced breast cancer cases.  Dr. Iwuanyanwu made a special plea and received help commitment from the commissioner for health Delta State and Governor on behalf of a woman who had advanced breast cancer and needed to go for treatment at the University of Lagaos Teaching hospital.

This mission also took us to Demostration high school Warri were we educated 12 to 17 year olds about breast and cervical cancers.  They learnt self breast exam.  Cervical cancer was also discussed, including the place of HPV virus in cervical cancer and preventative practices.  We also visited the Youth Corp Camp at Isele Ukwu on the invitation of the First Lady of Delta State.  This is a camp for college graduate serving their one year of national service.  Dr. Iwuanyanwu, the founder of ACCI was able to address 5000 youth corpers on the issue of cancer prevention. She was able to hold their attention for almost 2 hours.  The crowd listened attentively as she adressed the barriers of cancer awareness in the country, the importance of routine screening, the risk factors, signs and symptoms of breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancers.  She educated them on screening guidlines and preventative pracitces.  Smoking and cancer along with diet, lack of exercise, cooking style, and cancer were all discussed.

Support ACCI and its programs.  Become a volunteer or donate to our course.  All donations are tax deductible. A 501 (c)3 organization.