Houston Community News >>
10/4/2009-- Medical advances and early
detection have improved the survival rate of breast cancer patients, yet
one out of every eight women in the United States will still face the
disease. Prevention must now be the focus. Only 5 to 10 percent of cases
can be blamed on genetics; the majority appear to be linked to
environmental causes and personal lifestyle choices.
Dr. Marisa Weiss, founder of www.breastcancer.org , reports “Significant evidence links excess weight with a higher risk of breast cancer—both for a first diagnosis and for recurrence.” Maintaining a fit body through healthful eating and regular exercise could eliminate almost 40 percent, or 70,000, of the 200,000 cases of breast cancer each year.
Carole Carson—dubbed “An Apostle for Fitness” by the Wall Street Journal and the author of From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction—encourages you to minimize your breast cancer risk by focusing on fitness during October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Here are three tips for getting FIT:
F = Find healthy foods that you enjoy eating. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein will nourish your body without expanding your waistline. Explore healthier ways of preparing food and find fabulous lower-calorie recipes online. Limit alcohol consumption (one drink a day for women) because of its association with breast cancer.
I = Integrate regular exercise into your life. Spending 60 minutes exercising each day is the best investment you can make in your health. Individualize your routine: find an activity you thoroughly enjoy that is appropriate for your age, medical condition and schedule. For example, if you dislike jogging on a treadmill at the gym, you could rent exercise videos or purchase a Wii exergame.
T = Team up with friends, colleagues, neighbors and family to create a fitness-oriented community. Write a fitness team newsletter where you report on your program. Join a free online support community. By giving and receiving support, you reaffirm your own commitment to fitness.
Adopting healthful habits not only reduces the risk of breast cancer, it also helps prevent other life-threatening conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and improves the chances of survival for breast cancer patients.
While you’re taking charge of your health, check your local community calendar for NBCAM events and programs, including discounted mammography examinations on October 16, 2009, National Mammography Day.
Dr. Marisa Weiss, founder of www.breastcancer.org , reports “Significant evidence links excess weight with a higher risk of breast cancer—both for a first diagnosis and for recurrence.” Maintaining a fit body through healthful eating and regular exercise could eliminate almost 40 percent, or 70,000, of the 200,000 cases of breast cancer each year.
Carole Carson—dubbed “An Apostle for Fitness” by the Wall Street Journal and the author of From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction—encourages you to minimize your breast cancer risk by focusing on fitness during October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Here are three tips for getting FIT:
F = Find healthy foods that you enjoy eating. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein will nourish your body without expanding your waistline. Explore healthier ways of preparing food and find fabulous lower-calorie recipes online. Limit alcohol consumption (one drink a day for women) because of its association with breast cancer.
I = Integrate regular exercise into your life. Spending 60 minutes exercising each day is the best investment you can make in your health. Individualize your routine: find an activity you thoroughly enjoy that is appropriate for your age, medical condition and schedule. For example, if you dislike jogging on a treadmill at the gym, you could rent exercise videos or purchase a Wii exergame.
T = Team up with friends, colleagues, neighbors and family to create a fitness-oriented community. Write a fitness team newsletter where you report on your program. Join a free online support community. By giving and receiving support, you reaffirm your own commitment to fitness.
Adopting healthful habits not only reduces the risk of breast cancer, it also helps prevent other life-threatening conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and improves the chances of survival for breast cancer patients.
While you’re taking charge of your health, check your local community calendar for NBCAM events and programs, including discounted mammography examinations on October 16, 2009, National Mammography Day.
For more information on getting and staying fit, for a copy of From Fat to Fit, or to interview the author, please contact Mary Ellen Gross, 858-456-0707, sizzle@san.rr.com
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