National Brain Tumour Awareness Month/National Skin Cancer Awareness Month/National Stroke Awareness Month/Mental Health Awareness Month/National Pet Cancer Month

Following in the theme of health related ‘celebrations,’ May is also home to National Brain Tumour Awareness Month, National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, National Stroke Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and National Pet Cancer Month. So folks, this might be a bit of a heavy post today! Might as well jump right on in… 

A brain tumour is “an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor (defined as an abnormal growth of cells) within the brain or the central spinal canal.” In some cases the tumours can be cancerous. According to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, “27 Canadians are diagnosed with a brain tumour” every day, there are over 120 types of brain tumours, and on a positive note, an “estimated that 55,000 Canadians are surviving with a brain tumour.” Some of the signs and symptoms of brain tumours include:

• Behavioural changes

• Cognitive changes

• Dizziness or unsteadiness

• Double or blurred vision

• Frequent headaches

• Hearing impairment

• Morning nausea and vomiting

• Seizures

• Weakness or paralysis

For more information, check out the link above to the Brain Tumour Foundation’s website, or contact your family doctor.

Moving on…skin cancer is “the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. It occurs when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.” There are 3 main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (are “present on sun-exposed areas of the skin, especially the face”), squamous cell carcinoma (is also present on sun-exposed areas, but are much less frequent that basal cell carcinoma) and malignant melanoma (the least frequent, but most deathly of the three, can “originate in any part of the body that contains melanocytes”). The use of sunscreen and the reduction of exposure to the sun at peak times is the number one means of prevention. The reduction or elimination of the use of tobacco products is another way to prevent skin cancer. I think it goes without saying that it is important that you seek medical attention immediately should you suspect you have skin cancer. 

Next, strokes are “the rapid loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain.” They are also referred to as cerebrovascular accident, or CVA. They are considered to be a medical emergency, and are likely to cause permanent neurological damage if not treated in a timely manner. Some of the risk factors include: old age, high blood pressure, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), diabetes (for more information check out World Diabetes Day or wait for National Diabetes Month, which takes place in November), high cholesterol, tobacco smoking and atrial fibrillation (heart rhythm disorder). Here’s a PSA that was used to bring awareness to the warning signs of a stroke:

Again, should you feel these are something you have experienced, or you believe you are currently having a stroke, please go to a hospital immediately! 

Mental health is “a level of psychological well-being, or an absence of a mental disorder.” The World Health Organization defines ‘mental health’ as “"a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community." There is a lot of stigma that surrounds individuals who suffer from mental health disorders, which is silly when you consider that an estimated 50% of the global population has some form of mental illness. While there are plenty of different mental disorders, some of the most common ones include depression and anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar to name a few. The thing is, if we can move past the stigmas that having a mental disorder means there is something wrong with that person, than maybe those suffering from the symptoms will feel confident enough to seek help. I mean, even the term “mental disorder” implies something negative, and it 50% of us have some form of it, maybe that’s the first step… Just a thought. 

And finally, National Pet Cancer Month! Well, perhaps I shouldn’t seem excited about this… Pet cancer is, as I’m sure you know, is cancer found within our furry family members – and no, I’m not talking about your human male family members with excessive body hair! According to petcancerawareness.org, the cancer rates for dogs and cats are similar to that of humans. Did you know that cancer is the “#1 natural cause of death in older pets, or that “1 in 4 dogs will die” from one of cancers many forms? Well, you do now. Taking care of any pet involves hard work and commitment, and one of the responsibilities of being a pet owner, is ensuring they are healthy. I am in no way implying that cancer is preventable, but as with humans, early detection is the best way to beat it! So, make sure you get your furry friends checkout out by your family vet regularly.

Well that appears to be the end of this chapter…check in soon for the next Monthly holiday instalment!