Rebecca Johnson
When Carly Black sets up her booth at health events across southeast Nebraska, she usually doesn't start with questions. She hears stories first.
'They often times have a story,' Black said. 'Maybe they were impacted by cancer, or a close friend was impacted by cancer.'
Black is a registered dietitian and a health and well-being educator with Nebraska Extension. She works out of Beatrice and covers seven counties in the state's southeast corner. She has held the job for about two years. It focuses on community health and much of her work is on cancer prevention education through a statewide partnership between Extension and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Her message fits National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 21-25, which draws attention to the risks farm families face. Some of those risks, Black said, build up slowly.
Rural risk has many causes
Rural Nebraskans are more likely to develop cancer, Black said, but agriculture is only part of the reason.
'Pesticides do increase the risk of cancer, and as we look at cancer rates in Nebraska, people living in rural communities do have a higher risk of developing cancer,' she said. 'But there are so many things that can go into that. I don't want to say it's just because of ag.'
Distance from health care plays a role, she said. So does a rural culture that sometimes puts off seeing a doctor.
Across Nebraska, skin cancer is among the most common types, Black said. Breast cancer is one of the most common among women. She said lung cancer rates in Nebraska may be higher than the national average. Smoking history is one cause, and researchers are learning more about radon's effects.
Knowing when to get screened Much of Black's outreach is about helping people learn which screenings they need and when to get them.
Her favorite handout gives an overview of the most common cancers, including skin, breast, prostate, lung and colon. For each one, it explains when screening should start and what the test involves.
'Is it a scan? Is it something that you can do at home? Is it just a self skin exam?' Black said. 'And if you do need to follow up, what doctor to go to.'
Other handouts go deeper on each type of cancer. They cover what to watch for, how to lower your risk and where to go if something seems wrong.
Most screenings are covered by health insurance for people who meet age or risk-history guidelines, Black said. UNMC has programs that may help people without insurance. Anyone unsure where to start can contact Black, and she will connect them with UNMC.
Classes, booths and screening events Extension also offers classes on nutrition for cancer prevention. The classes cover how diet and physical activity can lower cancer risk, and they often include recipes and cooking. Black said the classes can be adapted to fit any group.
She has also worked with community hospitals on screening events. At those events, people can be checked on-site and sent directly to follow-up care.
'If they do need something screened, we can be like, 'OK, you qualify for a breast exam. Let's go get that mammogram,'' she said.
Black said she has nothing scheduled in Nemaha or Johnson counties right now, but she wants to reach more communities this fall. A cancer screening event is planned in Falls City, likely next spring. She said she is open to working with hospitals and health programs in the area.
Never too late
Black said the best prevention comes from long-term healthy habits, not short bursts of effort.
'Having an overall healthy diet is going to go a long way, the longer they keep it up, rather than maybe just having one day where they eat really healthy and then go back to their normal pattern,' she said.
Age shouldn't stop anyone from paying attention, she added.
'It's never too late to start thinking about prevention and screening,' Black said. 'With all cancer, the earlier you can catch it, the easier it will be to treat. It doesn't matter how old or how young you are. You can always be thinking about what you can do to support your health.'
To ask about cancer screenings, classes or booth visits, contact Black at [email protected]. A link to a flyer with details on cancer types and screenings is available atwww.anewspaper.net with this article.
