California Educator

September 2011

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her senior prom. She graduated with her class and started at UCLA that fall. She also went on to marry, have children, divorce, enjoy a stellar teaching career, become the interim director of teacher education for the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Educa- tion, and serve as chair of the State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS). She's an avid gardener, and best of all, a grandmother. "The cancer never returned," she says. "Sometimes I think: My kids wouldn't be here if I hadn't lived past 17. I'm grateful for that." It was that early cancer scare that led Harris to participate in the California Teach- ers Study, a longitudinal study by the Can- cer Prevention Institute of California (CPIC) and other California universities that has tracked cancer occurrence and the health of more than 133,000 female teachers. Since its beginning in 1995, the Califor- nia Teachers Study has collected data from an extensive questionnaire mailed to female CalSTRS members on lifestyle, medical his- tory, and women's health. The questionnaire information has been linked with data from the California Cancer Registry, which has tracked all cases of cancer diagnosed in the state since 1988. The teachers have cumu- latively filled out about 4.5 million pages of questions, provided around 10,000 biospec- imens, and participated in approximately 3,000 interviews. Originally focused on breast cancer, the ongoing health study may lead to important breakthroughs in the treatment and preven- tion of melanoma and other cancers as well. In the meantime, it is increasing the body of knowledge about how to prevent cancer. "That California teachers are saintly is no news to those of us with kids in school here, but I hope people recognize the major contributions that teachers are making to science," says CPIC researcher Christina Clarke, one of the leaders of the study. "By participating in the California Teachers Study over the years, these women have helped us build a world-class database for understanding the causes of cancer." "I'm encouraged that so much research is now being done in preventing and reducing the risks of cancer," Harris says. "I was lucky, but no one is safe from melanoma." Dr. Clarke adds: "It's women who partici- pate in research, like Jeri, who will ultimately help us to unlock the secrets of cancer pre- vention so future generations can benefit." Cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, are on the increase in all age, sex and socioeconomic groups. In 2011, an estimated 70,230 cases of mela- noma are anticipated nationwide, 5,475 in California. This year, 8,790 people are expected to die from it, according to the National Cancer Institute. With melanoma and other cancers, pre- vention is the key. That's the message of the Cancer Prevention Institute's latest cam- paign, Get in Front, which is aimed at stop- ping cancer before it starts. PROMOTING PREVENTION Get In Front is a broad- based movement of Californians who aren't willing to wait until they have cancer before they do something about cancer. The chance of getting cancer at some time in your life is about 1 in 3 if you're female and about 1 in 2 if you're male. If you are a female teacher, your risk for some cancers, such as breast cancer, is higher than average. The research scientists at the Cancer Pre- vention Institute of California have dedi- cated their careers to improving your odds. They study the environmental, occupa- tional, dietary, genetic and socioeconomic factors that influence cancer risk. What they discover advances the Three P's of prevention: changes to Public health policy, improvements in Provider/patient relations, and ways the Personal choices you make day to day can reduce your chances of getting cancer. Get In Front is a campaign of the Cancer Prevention Institute of California. It envi- sions a future of reduced risk for cancer, resulting in healthier lives and families. Get In Front is aimed at stopping cancer before it starts rather than chasing the disease from behind after people get sick. Think of cancer research as a team effort — cure research is the defense, and prevention research is the offense. MORE INFO For more information about the California Teachers Study, visit www.calteachersstudy.org. We're asking you to become part of the Get In Front movement. Cancer prevention research will affect more lives than any other approach to cancer. Help us change the game for a healthy California. MORE INFO Please visit www.getinfront.org to find out simple actions you can take right now to change your cancer risk. And please "like" us on Facebook — www.facebook.com/ getinfront. Wear sunglasses that have UV-absorbing lenses. Wear a hat that shades all parts of your face, not just your eyes, but also nose, ears and neck. Place play equipment (slides, pools, swings, etc.) in full shade or at least afternoon shade to protect children. September 2011 / www.cta.org 21

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