Adult Care

Review the following resources on various chronic health conditions:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Chronic pain
• Renal disease

While we can’t change our genetic background (only 5-10 per cent of all cancers are related to an inherited gene mutation), we can make better choices for a healthier future. These include:

• Eating a healthy diet that includes grains, lots of fruits and vegetables, lower fat, dairy and meat, and limiting salt, caffeine and alcohol 

• Maintaining a healthy body weight to guard against obesity 

• Exercising regularly (e.g., one hour of light walking every day or 30-60 minutes of brisk walking four to five times a week) 

• Eliminating unhealthy activities, such as smoking and excess exposure to sun (including tanning) 

• Practicing safe sex and limiting your number of sexual partners, which decreases the chance of acquiring Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a contributory cause of cervical cancer

• Ensuring your child is up to date with their Hepatitis B vaccinations and asking your public health nurse or family doctor about HPV vaccination if you, your children or those in your guardianship are between the ages of nine and 26

• Early detection and diagnosis are the keys to treating cancer with any degree of success. Pay attention to warning signals:

  • Change in bowel or bladder habits - a change in your normal pattern that persists

  • A sore that does not heal

  • Unusual bleeding or discharge

  • Thickening or lump

  • Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing

  • Obvious change in wart or mole

  • Nagging cough or hoarseness

Participating in regular cancer screening programs is essential to early detection:

• Breast: People aged 40-79 can book screening mammograms directly with BC’s Screening Mammography Program (SMP). Be aware of how your breasts look and feel, and see your doctor right away if you notice any changes.

• Prostate: People with prostates aged 50+ should talk to their doctor about the benefits and limitations of PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing. The test is available through your doctor. If you’re 50-70 years of age you should have an annual Digital Rectal Examination by a physician.

• Colon: People aged 50-74 should have a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every two years. If you have a personal history of non-cancerous lumps or tumours (adenomas) or significant family history of colon cancer, a screening colonoscopy is recommended instead.

• Cervix: People with a cervix should start having Pap tests at age 21 or three years after first sexual contact, whichever occurs first. Pap tests should be done every year for the first three years, followed by every two years if your results are normal until age 69. Talk to your health-care professional about being tested after age 69 if your results have not always been normal.