Breast Cancer Awarenss Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.   I am sure that everyone has been touched by some form of cancer in their life.  You may not have had cancer yourself but very possibly know someone who has had some form of cancer.   For women, breast cancer is second to skin cancer in being one of the most common cancers for women.  According to breast cancer statistics, about 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop a form of breast cancer in their life.  When you think about how many women you know, this is a large number of friends or acquaintances whom could be diagnosed.  The good news is that new breast cancer occurrences decreased about 2% per year from 1999 to 2006.

New research is consistently coming out to help with the cure of cancer, but we still do not know the exact cause of it.   Researchers are looking at many different factors to see what could be contributing to breast cancer.  Factors such as food, weight, hereditary, stress, environmental exposure, and  hormone replacement are always being looked at as contributing to woman developing breast cancer.  Many of these factors you can control.  You can make positive choices in you eating habits, getting enough exercise, finding ways to reduce the stress in your life. avoiding harsh chemicals in the home and workplace, talking with your doctor to decide if hormone replacement could put you at risk for breast cancer. 

Your diet can go a long way in helping to prevent breast cancer.  A body that is given the best fuel available is more likely to fight off radical cells and prevent them from developing into breast cancer.  The best diet is one that is well balanced with grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and small amount of oils and sweets.   When you eat a well balanced diet, you will find that you are less likely to gain weight.  If you find that you are eating balanced and still seem to put on extra pounds, then you will want to look at you activity level.  Increasing you exercise time can help with weight gain.  It can also lower any stress you may be having.  Getting into a regular exercise routine is the best way to go.  Exposure to some chemicals over and over during our life can lead to health issues.  One example is the use of chlorine products.  When cleaning with these types of typical household products, the fumes enter your body through breathing and your skin.  A one time use does not seem that bad, but when you think about how often women use these types of cleaning products in their homes.   This is a lot of harsh chemicals for a single body to absorb.  When there are children in the home, they are also being exposed to these products.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to consider what you can do to help prevent cancer from striking you or someone you know. 

For additional information:  Breast Cancer

Women's Health Week - May 10th - May 16th

As a mom and wife, staying healthy is very important to me. Let's face it, the fact is that most often it is the mom who is the primary caregiver in the home. We are there when someone is sick, needs a ride to band practice, or when your little ones are hungry. So it is up to the mom to look after everyone else before herself. Sad to say, but very true.

Moms, it is time to put your health first. Check out the web site Women's Health Week Here you will find articles on diet and nutrition, physical activity, preventative screening, and mental health. Yes, all of these work to together to make you a healthy, happy woman. Celebrate being a woman and taking charge of your health during May 10th - May 16th. Make needed changes that you will continue with in the weeks and months to come. Do if for yourself. You will notice the changes and will feel better as a result.