Spring Break
Cultural Heritage Center to host third annual conference on cancer
Quang Do
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: News
On Saturday, the San Jose State University Cultural Heritage Center located in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, will host the 3rd Annual Quality of Life Conference, in partnership with the American Cancer Society's African-American Committee.
The purpose of the event is to think about strategies on how to treat cancer and share information on how to get to the resources, said Oscar Battle, SJSU health education coordinator, who also said all persons of any race are welcomed to join the public discussion.
"It's important to look at ways of preventing cancer … such as skin cancer," said Natalie Alizaga, a senior majoring in health science and internee of the prevention education program.
The conference will start with an overview of cancer in the United States, Battle said, "then we'll talk about where to go for available resources in Santa Clara County."
The featured speakers will include community health care providers, cancer activists and cancer survivors.
Battle said, "The dangers of cancer can affect anybody, even loved ones who aren't suffering from cancer."
Valerie Vasquez, a senior majoring in child development, said she lost a friend to cancer in high school.
"It was difficult because we were so young," Vasquez said. She said she might attend the conference for extra credit.
A new topic to the annual conference will be on children who suffer from cancer, Battle said.
Some of the most common cancers affecting children include leukemia, which is a sickness of immature cells, wilms tumor, an infection to one or both kidneys to a child between the ages of two and three, and neuroblastoma, a tumor usually found in a child's stomach as a swelling, according to the American Cancer Society.
"Education is the best way to prepare," Battle said, "we'll have all kinds of information."
Another topic includes breast cancer, which accounts for one out of every three cases of cancer diagnosed among women, according to a fact sheet released by the Department of Defense.
Colon cancer, infection of the digestive system, will also be discussed, along with prostate cancer, an illness in the reproductive system that some older males face.
Battle said he encourages those who are interested to attend to register for a free lunch.
To register, contact Elizabeth Vargas, at (408) 688-0122 or e-mail elizabeth.vargas@cancer.org - faxes can be sent to (408) 871-2993.
Registration has to be done before 3 p.m. today in order to reserve a free lunch on Saturday, Battle said, "but anyone can come participate, or just listen."
The conference is scheduled to take place on April 14, at 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on the second floor of the King library.
Co-Sponsors:
SJSU African American Studies
SJSU Health Center
UFCW Local 428 AFL-CIO
SJSU Peer Health Education Program
SJSU Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity
South Bay Black Nurses Association Inc.
SJSU African American Faculty and Staff Association
The purpose of the event is to think about strategies on how to treat cancer and share information on how to get to the resources, said Oscar Battle, SJSU health education coordinator, who also said all persons of any race are welcomed to join the public discussion.
"It's important to look at ways of preventing cancer … such as skin cancer," said Natalie Alizaga, a senior majoring in health science and internee of the prevention education program.
The conference will start with an overview of cancer in the United States, Battle said, "then we'll talk about where to go for available resources in Santa Clara County."
The featured speakers will include community health care providers, cancer activists and cancer survivors.
Battle said, "The dangers of cancer can affect anybody, even loved ones who aren't suffering from cancer."
Valerie Vasquez, a senior majoring in child development, said she lost a friend to cancer in high school.
"It was difficult because we were so young," Vasquez said. She said she might attend the conference for extra credit.
A new topic to the annual conference will be on children who suffer from cancer, Battle said.
Some of the most common cancers affecting children include leukemia, which is a sickness of immature cells, wilms tumor, an infection to one or both kidneys to a child between the ages of two and three, and neuroblastoma, a tumor usually found in a child's stomach as a swelling, according to the American Cancer Society.
"Education is the best way to prepare," Battle said, "we'll have all kinds of information."
Another topic includes breast cancer, which accounts for one out of every three cases of cancer diagnosed among women, according to a fact sheet released by the Department of Defense.
Colon cancer, infection of the digestive system, will also be discussed, along with prostate cancer, an illness in the reproductive system that some older males face.
Battle said he encourages those who are interested to attend to register for a free lunch.
To register, contact Elizabeth Vargas, at (408) 688-0122 or e-mail elizabeth.vargas@cancer.org - faxes can be sent to (408) 871-2993.
Registration has to be done before 3 p.m. today in order to reserve a free lunch on Saturday, Battle said, "but anyone can come participate, or just listen."
The conference is scheduled to take place on April 14, at 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on the second floor of the King library.
Co-Sponsors:
SJSU African American Studies
SJSU Health Center
UFCW Local 428 AFL-CIO
SJSU Peer Health Education Program
SJSU Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity
South Bay Black Nurses Association Inc.
SJSU African American Faculty and Staff Association
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