Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/396235
F E M A L E T E A C H E R S I N C A L I F O R N I A have higher rates of breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and mel- anoma than comparable woman in the state, according to a longitudinal study that has tracked the health of more than 133,000 female teachers since 1995. The California Teachers Study is part of a research project of the Northern California Cancer Center, which studies cancer causes, trends and prevention. The center has been collaborating with several California institutions in collecting and analyzing survey data on cancer for the project. Participants provide researchers with valuable in- formation on risk factors for the disease — along with prevention and survival strategies. Originally the study focused just on breast cancer, says Leslie Bernstein, principal investigator of the study, but it has branched out to other types of cancers. Why were teachers selected to be studied in the first place? As a group, they expressed concern that they were experiencing a higher rate of cancer than the general population, which turned out to be true. Teachers were also considered individuals who would be "respon- sible" participants when it came to answering ques- tions about diet, exercise, environment, diagnosis and treatment. They were also considered people who would want to educate others. Teachers signed up to participate after replying to a questionnaire that was distributed through CalSTRS. The high cancer rate is partly because 75 percent of women in the subgroup who were postmenopausal used hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, when it was announced in 2003 that HRT causes breast cancer, many stopped taking hormones and fewer women devel- oped breast cancer, says Bernstein. Another factor that might contribute to the higher cancer rate is that teachers delay childbearing to pursue their education. The study has found that participants have a "sub- stantially" lower risk of breast cancer if they exercise regularly, and a higher survival rate if, once diagnosed, they begin an exercise regime. The study shows that alcohol intake may promote breast cancer, especially if more than one glass of wine is consumed daily. Since the study began, 16,425 women have devel- oped a form of invasive cancer. Now researchers are collecting blood samples from 21,000 participants to store for future studies to look for genetic mutations or other factors that may predispose some women to a higher risk of cancer. "We will follow these women for another 20 to 30 years," says Bernstein. "Their data is so valuable. We are very grateful for their willingness to share and help others." BILL FREEMAN was told he had a year to live in 1986. He told his oncologist he didn't want to die. The response was: "Accept your fate — the quicker, the better — and get close to God and family." The father of three was serving in the U.S. Army, going through a divorce, and pondering what to do next in life, before he received the crushing news that he had bone cancer. The first thing he did was find a new doctor who took a more optimistic view. Then he underwent radiation and became an inpatient in a military ward for two years. He was eventually pronounced cured. Freeman went to college. He mentored low-income students in algebra and earned his teaching credential. He worked as a substitute teacher and was assigned classes with the most difficult students because he was good with them. Still good at diplomacy in difficult situations, he is the immediate past president of the San Diego Education Association. "I was given the gift of life and wasn't going to use that to just look in the mirror or work in the yard. I have a lot to offer kids and people in gen- eral. And unionism is the best way to give back. It's the best way to make sure kids have a great learning environment." His advice is to keep a positive attitude. "Your attitude can steer your body in a certain direc- tion. I never thought I was going to die. Not everyone with cancer will turn out this way. I know I was one of the lucky ones." Cancer study finds teachers at higher risk Keep a positive attitude Unionism is the best way to give back. Bill Freeman 11 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 3