For 25 years, the Carson Cancer
Center at Faith Regional Health
Services has been providing
state-of-the-art cancer services
to patients across Northeast
Nebraska. Visit
and click on “Cancer” under “Our
Services” to flip through pages of
our commemorative book con-
taining facility and staff photos;
quotes from patients; and even
letters from generous donor and
beloved Norfolk native, Johnny
Carson, who have all been a part
of the center’s 25 years of provid-
ing hope and healing.
for our center and, ultimately, our
patients,” says Mohammed Zahra,
MD, radiation oncologist at the Faith
Regional Carson Cancer Center.
Three-year accreditation with com-
mendation is only awarded to a facil-
ity that exceeds standard requirements
at the time of its triennial survey.
Faith Regional received its first three-
year accreditation with commenda-
tion in 2010.
“I am very proud of our team of
cancer care providers here at Faith
Regional,” says Thomas Beutler, MD,
general surgeon at Faith Regional and
chairman of the Faith Regional Cancer
Committee. “The Commission on
Cancer accreditation with commenda-
tion verifies our high level of expertise
and commitment in providing compre-
hensive cancer care right here at home.”
To meet our team, get directions
and more, visit
and click on “Cancer” under “Our
Services.”
9
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that more than 1.6 million
cases of cancer are diagnosed each year. Clearly, cancer prevention
is important. But could preventing cancer be as easy as 1, 2, 3?
According to experts, in many cases the answer is yes.
Doctors can’t say with certainty who will get cancer. And they
can’t offer a guaranteed way to keep the disease from striking.
But after reviewing thousands of studies, they’ve
determined that cancer isn’t always something that just
happens. Often, it can be linked to behaviors and lifestyle.
That means our everyday choices may lessen our
cancer risk.
Certainly that’s true with smoking. If you choose
to kick a cigarette habit or not smoke in the first
place, you dramatically lower your risk of lung can-
cer—and several other types of cancer.
But prevention doesn’t end there. According to
the American Institute for Cancer Research, taking
these three steps may also go a long way toward staying
cancer-free:
A change of habits
A T H R E E - S T E P P L A N F O R P R E V E N T I N G C A N C E R
Be physically active at least 30 minutes each day.
Growing evi-
dence suggests that regular exercise may reduce the risk of cancers of
the colon and, in women, of the endometrium and breast (in those who
have gone through menopause).
The benefit to the colon may be due to the fact that physical activity
promotes the quick passage of waste. In women, activity may lower levels of
hormones that raise cancer risk.
Eat mostly plant foods.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and
legumes contain phytochemicals that may bolster the body’s ability
to fight cancer in a variety of ways.
For example, some phytochemicals seem to prevent cancer-causing
substances from becoming active in the body. Others may help heal
damage to the body’s cells or trigger the death of cells that are cancerous.
Aim for a colorful variety of at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each
day. And at mealtime, strive to fill at least two-thirds of your plate with plant foods.
Animal foods, such as meat, should make up no more than one-third of your
meal. But try to limit red meat to 18 ounces or less each week, and avoid processed
meats.
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1
Maintain a healthy weight.
In the body, fat may produce hormones
that promote cell growth. They also produce proteins that cause in-
flammation and insulin resistance, which may also promote cell growth
and reproduction. The more cells divide, the more chance there is for
cancer to develop. Fat around your waist may be particularly danger-
ous. Speak with your doctor about what a healthy weight would be.
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