Learn about Multiple Forms of Cancer and How to Prevent them With the Cancer Prevention Segment

Matt Brooks: [00:00:00] Matt Brooks here on X101 Always Classic and for another Cancer Prevention Segment of the CSP program of Cayuga, Cortland and Tompkins Counties. And back in the studio with me is Courtney Maxson, senior public health educator from the Cortland County Health Department. Can you believe it is May, Courtney?
Courtney Maxson: I cannot believe it’s May. Where has the time gone? 
Matt Brooks: Well, next month when we get back together, it’s gonna be halfway through the year. So I, I really don’t know. I really just don’t know. But may we, let’s not wish away May just yet. We have, uh, some very important months to, awareness months to go over today.
National Cancer Research Month. There’s Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, Brain Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s also Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Now, I really wanna focus on the Skin Cancer Awareness Month, but can we go over, uh, bladder and brain cancer a bit? 
Courtney Maxson: So bladder and brain cancer, you’re definitely going to, uh, go to your health provider each year to get your physical talk to them about any headaches or any abnormalities, any [00:01:00] vision disturbances.
Um. That’s definitely an indicator that something might not be right. Uh, as far as brain cancer, uh, bladder or cancer, you’re having trouble, uh, urinating or, um, other issues like that. Talk to your primary care and get a, uh, an order to go see a urologist. 
Matt Brooks: Yep. So those two are really, I mean, go to your doctor if something feels not well. 
Courtney Maxson: Correct. 
Matt Brooks: But for melanoma and skin cancer, that one, I mean, it can come outta nowhere, but it’s also a very preventable one, um, in a way. ‘Cause as long as you’re taking your-, care of yourself. It’s, uh, very preventable. I’m correct? 
Courtney Maxson: Absolutely. So skin cancer can be very much diminished with wearing sunscreen, covering up, wearing, uh, protective clothing in the summer and in the sun. Um, there’s a lot of clothing now that has SPF, uh, in, in the clothing.
Matt Brooks: Oh, really? 
Courtney Maxson: So it protects you as well. Um, bathing suits too. They all have, um, SPF, uh. [00:02:00] Guarding as well, so that’s helpful. Um, sunglasses, covering those eyes, wearing a hat while you’re out, um, that’s important. And staying in shade if you can. 
Matt Brooks: Right. It’s, I mean, I know people are trying to get that summer color, I mean, with the sun coming back to Central New York for a few short months. But, uh, it’s, it’s also, you gotta keep in mind your health. ‘Cause I mean, your, your skin’s there forever and you. You need it. 
Courtney Maxson: Absolutely. And skin cancer is one of the most common cancers as well. And we wanna protect our skin. Um, you know, going to the dermatologist is important to have a full body check and they can offer tips and tricks and any, uh, follow up that’s needed. So definitely scheduling those appointments with the dermatologist if you haven’t been in a while. 
Matt Brooks: And before we head out, ’cause I know like when I was growing up and we’re talking about like, uh, sun lotion and such. The SPF, the protection rate, that’s quite important because you have different numbers, correct?
Courtney Maxson: Absolutely. So the lower the number, the less protection, the [00:03:00] higher the number, uh, the more protection you’ll have. So, um, you know, me being that Irish girl that is very, very pale, 70 and above is usually my friend. 
Matt Brooks: All right. So yeah, make sure I mean higher, number better in that case. And before we go, if uh, people have questions about anything we went over today, if they wanna get in touch about maybe getting a screening, especially if they don’t have health insurance, where should people go, Courtney? 
Courtney Maxson: So you can always contact me at the Cortland County Health Department at (607) 758-5523. You can also visit our website at cortlandcountyny.gov and visit our Health Department site and you can get some good information about different, uh, programs that we offer. And how to contact us directly.
Matt Brooks: Alright, well thank you again for stopping by for this May segment. I’ll, uh, catch you in June where we’re talking more about cancer prevention tips, uh, during this cancer prevention segment. 
Courtney Maxson: Sounds great. And just [00:04:00] to all the moms out there Happy Mother’s Day. 
Matt Brooks: Yes. Happy Mother’s Day. This has been another edition of the Cancer Prevention Segment here at X101 Always Classic. I’m Matt Brooks.