Can you smell the pumpkin spice? Can you feel the cooler weather? Have you seen the Halloween and Christmas decor when shopping? Around this time, summer is winding down and we begin to prepare for fall and the upcoming holidays. While we anticipate the future memories we are going to make, let’s take the time to acknowledge the lives lost from various types of cancers. September is Child Cancer Awareness Month, a month that’s dedicated to raising awareness about various types of cancers, their impact, and the importance of early detection.  

Did you know that about 300,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year? According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the second leading cause of death in children over the age of one. They also mentioned that “the goal of early detection can be achieved by health providers who do a comprehensive medical history, good medical exam, and believe the parents.” We want to highlight one of the main messages in that statement, ‘believe the parents.’ As parents it is important for us to make sure that we are maintaining the health of our little ones by keeping up with their annual check-ups and by learning the different types of cancer, risk factors, and prevention strategies. You can also build community by sharing what you learn and know with friends and family to help them stay informed. Check below for some risk factors and symptoms for early detection.  

RISK FACTORS:  

• Lifestyle-related risk factors  

• Environmental risk factors 

• Changes in genes 

• Inherited and acquired gene mutation 

SYMPTOMS 

• Unusual lump or swelling 

• Easy bruising or bleeding 

• Limping 

• Sudden eye or vision changes 

• Ongoing body pain and aches in one area 

• Loss of energy 

• Frequent headaches  

• Experiencing flu-like symptoms that won’t go away  

• Blood in urine or stool  

• Unexplained weight loss  

Learn the signs and symptoms and when something doesn’t seem right mention it to your child’s doctor.  Partner with your child’s healthcare provider and partner with us, AFSPA, to get the comprehensive care you need.  

Although we are highlighting Child Cancer Awareness, September also recognizes prostate, thyroid, gynecologic, and blood cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Although it is one of the leading causes of death, again early detection is an important factor to increases chances of survival. Check out the different cancer types and their symptoms:  

Prostate Cancer:  

• Difficulty urinating  

• Pain or discomfort in pelvic area 

• Blood in urine  

Thyroid Cancer:  

• Lump on neck 

• Persistent coughing  

• Trouble swallowing  

• Hoarseness  

Gynecologic Cancers, including cervical, ovarian, uterine:  

• Abdominal bloating  

• Pain in pelvic area or abdomen  

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding  

Blood Cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma:  

• Swollen lymph nodes  

• Chronic fevers  

• Spots or lumps on the skin  

• Easy bleeding or bruising  

Cancer awareness is important because we can increase knowledge about cancer prevention and symptoms. We encourage you to get regular screenings and recognize risk factors. We also encourage you to try the below steps to help you prevent cancer:  

• Maintain a healthy weight and stay active 

• Try healthier food options 

• Get recommend cancer screenings and regular medical care 

• Practice sun safety by protecting your skin with sunscreen 

• Don’t use tobacco and limit alcohol use 

Remember, small actions can lead to significant changes. This September, take a step toward cancer prevention by scheduling your next screening, or simply sharing this blog with others to spread awareness! Also remember to choose health because you matter!  

HOW AFSPA CAN HELP 

Foreign Service Benefit Plan members and your dependents ages 18 years and older have exclusive access to our Simple Steps to Living Well Together Program where you can earn up to wellness rewards:  

• Cervical Cancer Screening – $25 

• Colorectal Cancer Screening – $25 

• Physical Exam and Biometric Screening – $100 

FSBP’s Cancer Support Program 

FSBP‘s Cancer Support Program is designed to provide education and support to members. If you would like to contact the Plan for more information about this Program, please call 800-593-2354. We are available to assist you Monday-Friday from 6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) 

TherapEase Cuisine® 

TherapEase Cuisine is an oncology nutritional service offering reliable information and scientifically based nutritional solutions to those diagnosed with cancer. The TherapEase Cuisine exclusive online service is offered to patients who use Accredo®, a specialty pharmacy. Its personalized support helps answer the question, “What should I be eating?” 

Learn more at https://www.therapeasecuisine.com/ 

Care Management Programs 

The Foreign Service Benefit Plan offers additional services under our Care Management (CM) Programs that assist you with your care coordination for your acute or chronic conditions at no additional cost. These programs provide education, clinical support and access to digital support and well-being tools to help you better manage your health. 

• Cancer Care Program: The Cancer Care Program provides dedicated proactive support to individuals with a diagnosis of cancer, which can be life changing and overwhelming. Through our program, individuals will better understand their benefits, have the ability to locate the right provider for their specific need and get certain services approved. Individuals also will receive care management support for holistic care, treatment side effects, and medication management. 

2nd.MD 

As part of your Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) benefits, you can get an expert second opinion from a leading specialist at no additional cost to you. Connect directly with experts by video from the comfort of home. Ask questions, get answers and feel empowered to make the best healthcare decisions. 

The medical experts and dedicated health advisors at 2nd.MD will help FSBP members navigate the complexities of the health care system. Their goal is to provide better medical intelligence, preferred access to top-specialists and improved health outcomes. Activate your account and request a consult by using the options below:  

• Call 1 (866) 410-8649 

• Visit 2nd.MD/fsbp