Collin County Living Well Magazine March/April 2018 | Page 41

in men whose diets are high in calci- um, so one way to lower risk would be to reduce dairy intake. Promising research: For men who develop prostate cancer, “one type of radiation treatment is proton therapy,” Dr. Holguin says. “This treatment de- livers the radiation very specifically to the cancer and may decrease the tox- icity to the surrounding tissue.” 3. LUNG CANCER Prevalence: About 1 in 4 cancer deaths is attributed to lung cancer, making it the deadliest kind in both men and women. Primary protection: Don’t smoke. “The vast majority of lung cancer is clearly a result of smoking and other exposures [to tobacco smoke], but predominantly smoking,” Dr. Holguin says. Promising research: People who are at high risk for lung cancer can be screened and diagnosed before symptoms develop through use of a low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scan. A study conducted by the National Cancer Institute showed that screening people at high risk of lung cancer with low-dose CT scans reduced mortality from lung cancer by 20 percent, contributing to more than 70,000 lives saved each year. 4. SKIN CANCER Prevalence: Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women. Primary protection: Minimize ex- posure to the sun. Wear sunscreen and clothing that provides adequate coverage. Promising research: “A new class of drugs is adding significant survival benefits in patients with advanced melanoma,” Dr. Holguin says. “These checkpoint inhibitors help ‘unmask’ the cancer so that the immune system can recognize it and fight it off.” 5. COLORECTAL CANCER Prevalence: Although colorectal cancer is still one of the most common cancers, the rate of new cases has decreased steadily over the last 10 years. Primary protection: Get a colo- noscopy. This screening not only helps detect cancer, but it’s also used by doctors to remove precancerous pol- yps, effectively preventing the disease from developing. Start colonoscopies at age 50 and then get one every 10 years thereafter. Promising research: “Treatment has improved through the addition of targeted therapy to standard chemotherapy approaches,” Dr. Holguin says. “Also important has been the recognition of several ge- neticall y related colon cancer fami- lies, the early identification of indi- viduals at risk and careful following of those patients.” If colorectal can- cer runs in your family, consider ge- netic testing. For a physician referral or for more information on Cancer Care services at a Baylor Scott & White Health location near you, call 1.844.BSW.DOCS or visit us online at www.BSWHealth.com/Cancer. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health. COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MARCH/APRIL 2018 39