National Cancer Prevention Month offers opportunities for education and awareness

Did you know that more than half of all cancers diagnosed in the United States might have been preventable? They are linked to smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and excessive exposure to the sun.

It doesn’t have to be this way, and it shouldn’t. That’s why National Cancer Prevention Month is so important. This is the time to stop smoking (or better yet, never start), take a look at diet and exercise and make changes where needed, and buy that sunscreen we keep saying we’ll apply when sitting poolside, or even doing yard work.

The American Cancer Society has all kinds of helpful information about cancer, and steps that can help reduce your risk.  One big thing you can do is see what tests you might need to look into, based on your age, gender and ethnicity. That includes colonoscopies, mammograms and other easy to schedule exams that will give you peace of mind, as well as hopefully catch any problems early.

Putting an end to cancer is still a ways away, but research is ongoing and comprehensive. If we do our part, we can cut down on the number of cancer cases in the meantime. For instance, the American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that one-third of the most common cancers in the United States could be prevented by eating healthier, exercising and keeping excess weight off. The AICR says that’s an estimated 374,000 cancer cases that would never happen.

That’s a number we can all get behind. So, for February, take one step toward preventing cancer. Maybe that’s just eating more fruits and vegetables, or maybe it’s finally using that gym membership you got during the holidays, or scheduling that long-overdue physical. Take the first step and be the change in your own life when it comes to stopping or preventing cancer.

Cardiac care is front and center during American Heart Month

A longer, healthier life is everyone’s goal, and there’s no better starting point for a personal wellness program than good heart care.

That’s been the core message of the American Heart Association (AHA), as well as its American Heart Month, an awareness effort that began back in February 1964. (Want to read the presidential proclamation? Here you go.) At that time, more than half the deaths in America were caused by cardiovascular disease, and heart disease and stroke remain the leading global cause of death — more than 17.3 million each year, according to the AHA.

The statistics are sobering:

• 220.8 people out of 100,000 die from cardiovascular disease

• one person dies of a heart attack, or has a stroke, every 40 seconds or about 2,200 deaths per day

• stroke accounts for one out of every 20 deaths in the United States

But enough of the bad news — heart disease is preventable. How? By making healthy choices, which can even be easy ones:

• Season food with spices instead of salt.

• Get in some physical activity every day, even if it’s just a short walk.

• Make sure you see your doctor for a regular, annual physical.

Want to get the word out? The AHA has lots of ways you can spread the news about heart health. There’s information for use in newsletters, and it’s never a bad idea to send out a tweet or post to social media about American Heart Month so more people become aware.

Heart disease is a killer, and we can help stop it. Be part of the solution for yourself, your friends and family, and your community.