Cancer prevention topic of chamber luncheon

Kayne Pyatt, Herald Reporter
Posted 9/25/18

Chamber holds monthly luncheon

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Cancer prevention topic of chamber luncheon

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EVANSTON — Wyoming Cancer Resource Services (WCRS) are regional, community-based coordinators providing support services to Wyoming residents. Their purpose is to educate about cancer prevention programs, services, cancer risk factors, and to promote early detection of cancer by educating about screening recommendations.

They refer clients to cancer screening programs and provide patients with resources for transportation and financial help. The coordinators work in partnership with local health systems to increase cancer screening rates. There are six region coordinators that cover all of Wyoming.

Kelly Sugihara, from Rock Springs, is the coordinator for Region 5, which includes Sweetwater, Teton, Uinta, Sublette and Lincoln counties. She was the guest speaker at the Evanston Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 13, at BOCES. Sugihara is a cancer survivor herself and began her presentation by telling her personal story of battling cervical cancer.  

Before taking her present position with Wyoming Cancer Resource Services, Sugihara was a bank manager, and currently owns a used car business in Rock Springs. Because she was uninsured for two years she missed her annual exams. When she finally went in for a pap exam she was told by her doctor that she had Stage 1 cervical cancer.

She endured eight weeks of chemo, had a hysterectomy and then radiation. During surgery a nerve was nicked, and she currently suffers from pain in her legs. Because of her personal experience with cancer she became passionate about convincing others to get early cancer screening. When Sugihara heard of the coordinator position opening with WCRS, she immediately applied and got the position.

Sugihara presented information and brochures from the Wyoming Department of Health and the Wyoming Cancer Program.  She went over the different cancer screening tests available and the age when males and females should receive those tests and risk factors that increase the need for pre-screening. 

“Wyoming is among the worse in the nation for numbers of pre-cancer screening,” Sugihara said, adding how critical it is to educate about the need for the tests as early detection can save lives.

According to a Wyoming Cancer Program brochure, “Every year, more than 600 Wyoming residents are diagnosed with breast, cervical and colorectal cancers alone.” The Wyoming Cancer Program reimburses participating healthcare providers for screening services to clients who meet the income guidelines and eligibility criteria.

The screenings are paid for through funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, and the State of Wyoming. There is an application process in both English and Spanish that is quickly processed by the Wyoming Department of Health for those who are uninsured or under-insured. 

Sugihara continued her presentation by stressing the rising rate of cervical cancer and oral cancer in young people.

“Wyoming is the very worst in the nation for HPV prevention,” Sugihara said. “Ninety percent of cervical cancer and 80 percent of oral cancer is caused by the HPV virus, which is sexually transmitted.”

Recognizing that there is resistance to the HPV vaccination, Sugihara is working with health providers, including dentists who would be able to see the possibility of oral cancer in its early stages, to provide information to their clients. 

She stressed the need for education in the schools as well and mentioned that the state of Utah has now made the HPV vaccination a requirement along with the other immunizations in order for children to attend school. Sugihara added that public health departments will give the vaccination free to qualifying clients. The recommended age for the vaccination is between 11 and 12 years for both boys and girls.  

The last testing Sugihara addressed was the need for radon tests in homes.  Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas without color, odor or taste, which seeps up from the earth. Long-term exposure to the radioactive particles in radon can damage cells that line the lungs, leading to lung cancer. According to the Wyoming Cancer Program, “overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.” Tests are available through that program for anyone to test their own home for radon.

Sugihara concluded by asking the audience for recommendations of health care providers, educators and organizations that might assist her in educating the public.