GJC to host cancer workshop

Almost 10 years ago, Aroda resident Ada Summers felt an itch under her breast that she just couldn’t scratch.

After visiting the doctor, it was discovered this internal “itch” was actually a sign of breast cancer. As the seventh person within Summers’ immediate family to be diagnosed with cancer, her survival seemed bleak.

At the age of 52, the Madison County resident endured six months of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and the removal of 28 lymph nodes. Looking back about nine and half years later, Summers – now cancer-free – is determined to educate the public about steps everyone can take to lower their risk of developing tumors.

“I had a very aggressive cancer and for me to be alive, I know it’s a miracle,” Summers told The Eagle recently. “[God] set me up so I could be a testimony for someone else.”

The self-described “cancer conqueror” has organized a free cancer awareness workshop set for 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 20 at the George James Community Center in Radiant. The workshop will feature a variety of speakers, including cancer survivors.

“You need people who’ve been there to do these workshops,” she said.

The event will also feature presentations by an oncologist nurse and a nutritionist as well as free prostate cancer blood tests and DermaScan skin cancer screenings performed by nurses from Culpeper Regional Hospital.

There are many steps people can take to reduce their risk of developing cancer, including exercising regularly and eating healthy, according to Summers.
“Cancer likes to grow a lot in fats so exercise helps tremendously,” she said. It also can help to stay away from tobacco and alcohol, get adequate rest and reduce your stress level.

“It helps to just have a joyful time, put laughter in your life, have a balanced life, take away stress. Stress can do terrible things to the body,” she said.
The workshop will also relay the resources available in the event of a cancer diagnosis. “You might panic at first but then you will know what to do and know what resources you have and who to contact,” Summers said.

The George James Community Center is located on the corner of Route 230 (Orange Road and Route 684 (George James Loop) in Radiant. For information about the workshop, call (540) 948-5554 or (540) 672-5895.