HealthyLife Articles

Tag: awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness

SELF-CARE CORNER

During the month of October, many organizations, groups and individuals across the world increase awareness of breast cancer and raise funds to research the disease and find a cure.

Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.

* If you are a woman age 40 to 49, talk with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get them.

* If you are a woman age 50 to 74, be sure to get a mammogram every 2 years. You may also choose to get them more often.

Risk factors for breast cancer in women include:

* Increasing age

* Changes in BRCA1, BRCA2, and other cancer genes

* Personal history of breast cancer or a mother or sister has or had breast cancer

* Dense breast tissue (shown on a mammogram)

* Certain abnormal breast changes that are not cancer. These changes are found during a breast biopsy.

* Radiation therapy to the chest before age 30

* Never giving birth or having a first full-term pregnancy after age 30. Never breast-fed a baby.

* Being obese or overweight after menopause

* Hormone therapy (estrogen plus progestin) after menopause

* Alcohol-the more used, the greater the risk.

* Lack of physical activity throughout life

Talk to a doctor about your risk for breast cancer, especially if a close family member of yours had breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can help you decide when and how often to get mammograms.

FYI

The third week of October is Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week. Though rare, men can get breast cancer too. For men, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000. Yearly, about 450 men in the U.S. die from breast cancer. Men should look for and report a lump or other change in a breast to their doctors.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Simplify To Reduce Stress

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Stress is a feeling you get when faced with a challenge, according to the Office on Women’s Health. While everyone responds to stress differently, there are common signs. These include changes in eating habits, feeling as if you have no control, forgetfulness, headaches, lack of energy and focus, short temper, trouble sleeping, upset stomach, and aches and pains. Studies show that women have more physical symptoms of stress than men.

“Women experiencing stress differently from men often has to do with the roles they impose on themselves,” explains Susanne Fogger, assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing.

“Ask a woman what her roles are and she may reply: wife, mother, sister, friend, caregiver, cook, cleaner, worker, and so on. Ask a man what his role is and he may mention worker, husband, father – but he may not incorporate as many roles as women often do.”

Fogger notes, “Women often have difficulty letting go [of roles] without feeling guilty about not being able to maintain that role.”

But letting the pressure of this load continually weigh on the body can lead to trouble.

“Our bodies release the stress hormones cortisol and norepinephrine during stressful events, and these are responsible for the elevation of blood pressure, heart rate, and blood glucose levels,” explains Aimee Holland, a women’s health nurse practitioner program coordinator at UAB.

“It’s not good for the human body to continuously be exposed to stress hormones, because this can lead to depression, anxiety, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, and menstrual changes,” Holland says.

In fact, “stress is erosive,” says Fogger, “in the sense that the longer a person remains under what they perceive as stress, the less their body is able to fight off infection because their natural immune system decreases. Stress is inevitable, and not all stress is bad, but how one handles it makes the difference in being able to stay healthy or getting sick.”

*Exercise daily.If your body’s in shape, you’ll be better able to tolerate stress.

*Stop working within 1 to 2 hours of going to bed.Your brain needs time to unwind.

*Eat a balanced diet of nutrient-rich foods.Limit the amount of high-glucose, high-carbohydrate foods you eat. Take it easy on booze, too. Alcohol is really a depressant, not a way to relax.

*Keep life simple.Get rid of the things in your life that don’t match up with or help you achieve your life goals. And remember to surround yourself with good people.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Prostate Cancer

Cancer

This cancer is rare in men younger than 40, but the risk of having prostate cancer rises after age 50.

Men aged 50 to 69 years should discuss the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening with their doctors. African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should do this starting at age 40.

When present, symptoms of prostate cancer include:

* Passing urine often or having a hard time passing urine

* Pain and burning when you pass urine, have an erection, or ejaculate. Pain in the hips, pelvis, ribs, or spine

* Blood in the urine

Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms, which can be the same ones for other prostate problems.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Busting The Myths About Breast Cancer

MEDICAL NEWS

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Experts are still learning about this disease and what causes it.

There are many myths related to the origins of breast cancer. The following items do not cause breast cancer, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation:

* Antiperspirants and deodorants

* Caffeine

* Dairy products

* Microwaves

* Cell phones

* Being around others with cancer

Truth about breast cancer risk

There are some things that can increase the chances of getting breast cancer. These are called “risk factors.” The following risk factors are things you cannot change:

* Being a woman

* Being over age 55

* Caucasian race

* Family history of breast or ovarian cancer

* Having abnormal breast cells in the past

* Starting menstruation (periods) before age 12

* Going into menopause after age 55

* Gene mutations with BRCA1 or BRCA2

* Having dense breast tissue

Having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will get breast cancer. The best thing to do is talk with your doctor about your risk factors. Together, you can come up with a plan for breast cancer screening or other testing, if needed.

Ways you can lower your risk

* Get plenty of exercise.

* Eat a balanced & healthy diet.

* Get & stay at a healthy weight.

* Avoid or limit alcohol.

* Avoid tobacco, including second-hand smoke (research is ongoing)

Sources: American Cancer Society, National Breast Cancer Foundation

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Start A Conversation About Domestic Violence

FAMILY LIFE

Everyone knows a victim of domestic violence, but most people don’t know what to do to help.

“If someone comes to you and tells you they’re a victim of domestic violence, the most important thing you can do is offer your support without judgment,” said Vicky Dinges, vice president of corporate responsibility at Allstate. “There are 1,300 deaths and two million injuries related to domestic violence each year. Odds are we all know someone who’s in an abusive relationship. Knowing how to help might just save a life.”

Here are some easy ways to start a conversation:

*Offer support without judgment or criticism.There are a lot of reasons why victims may stay in an abusive relationship, and many reasons why they may also leave and return to the relationship multiple times. Let them know it’s not their fault and that they are not alone.

*Don’t be afraid to tell them that you’re concerned for their safety.Help your friend or family member recognize the abuse while acknowledging that they are in a very difficult and dangerous situation.

*Avoid confrontations.There are many reasons why people experiencing abuse don’t reach out to family and friends. It’s important to recognize when they are ready to talk about their experiences while still offering support.

*Encourage them to get help.Suggest ways they can get additional support. Help them look into available resources, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline number – 800-799-SAFE (7233) or website atwww.thehotline.org. This resource also finds local support groups and provides information on staying safe.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Identify Disordered Eating

Healthylife® Weigh

Part 5

Disordered eating can be hard on your body and your mind. Follow the guidelines in this book to develop a realistic, patient approach to managing weight. Be self-kind, not self-critical.

Eating Disorders

If you are concerned that you may have an eating disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or a binge eating disorder), contact your doctor immediately, as these are serious medical conditions. You can also find more information here:

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

Helpline: 800-931-2237

National Institute of Mental Health

www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Can Stress Really Break Your Heart?

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

We know that stress affects the body in many ways. When you’re stressed, your heart may race, you may sweat or get a headache and some people even get sick. But experts say that extreme stress can also cause a condition known as broken heart syndrome.

Broken heart syndrome is sometimes called stress-induced or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It can happen when someone has extreme stress like grief, shock or anger. It can also happen when the body is under physical stress, such as extreme exercise, surgery or dealing with a serious illness.

Why does broken heart syndrome happen?

Some medical experts believe that a high release of stress hormones affects how well the heart can pump blood, causing a problem with the heart muscle. This effect is only temporary, however, and the heart usually returns to its normal function. Or, high stress may cause a spasm in one of the arteries that supplies blood to the heart.

What does broken heart syndrome look like?

Symptoms of broken heart syndrome look a lot like a heart attack. They include chest pain and feeling out of breath. These symptoms begin within a few minutes to hours after the stressful event happens.

Because there’s no way to know if you have broken heart syndrome or a heart attack, it’s important to go to the emergency room if you notice these symptoms. Usually, the doctors will run tests like a chest x-ray, EKG or other procedures to see how the heart is working. These tests are painless.

How is it treated?

First, the doctors will want to improve blood flow to the heart. Certain medicines for blood pressure may be used or blood thinners. In some cases, medicines for anxiety are used to help lower stress hormones in the body.

Some people may need to stay in the hospital for a few days. Most people recover within a few days without any long-term damage to their heart.

Remember, if you have chest pain or shortness of breath, it’s always important to get medical help right away.

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
State Fair Food. How Unhealthy?

HEALTHY EATING

State fair food booths are famous for deep-frying most anything-even butter. It’s not unusual for a single serving to hit 500 or even 1,000 calories, with dozens of grams of fat.

As unlikely as it may sound, it is possible to get a taste of a state fair without overindulging, says Dr. Donald Hensrud, a Mayo Clinic specialist in nutrition and preventive medicine.

* Give yourself a good start and eat something healthy before you go. Have some fruit to start the day or a salad before you go in the afternoon.

* Work off the extra calories through walking, which is easy to do at the fair.

* Burn off extra calories by getting in an extra workout or two, before or after the fair.

* Decide ahead of time how much and what you’ll indulge in. If you have a plan, you’re less likely to overeat. Turkey legs on the midway or dairy barn homemade ice cream? Pick one and plan ahead.

* Split portions with family or friends. This will not only help decrease calorie intake, but also lets you enjoy more tastes and may help to save money.

* Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and aid the digestive process. Stay away from non-diet soda. It’s loaded with calories and sugar and has no nutritional benefit. Drink water instead.

* Don’t panic if you overindulge. Return to your normal eating routine the next day.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Identify Emotions That Prompt You To Eat

Healthylife® Weigh

Part 6

Indicate how often the following scenarios apply to you.

* When I’m angry or upset, I think, “I don’t care what I eat or how much I eat.”

* When I see something tasty, I eat it but regret it later. I find myself saying, “Why did I just do that? I didn’t really want it.”

* When I have a craving for something, it is very difficult for me not to satisfy it right away. I may feel frustrated until I have it.

* When I’m stressed, I tell myself, “I can take a break from eating healthy so I can focus on the stressful things. I will get back on track later.”

* When I am eating with my friends or family, I can’t seem to stick to my healthy plans.

* Once I start eating something I really like, I have a hard time stopping, even when I want to.

* I find myself saying, “Oh, what the heck, I blew it anyway. I might as well eat whatever I want.”

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Coping With Life’s Challenges

SUCCESS OVER STRESS

Stress happens to everyone at some point. We all face problems and situations that can be stressful. This can be losing a job, an unexpected move, losing a loved one, or problems at work. Even happy events such as a marriage, new baby, or new job can cause stress and anxiety.

Too much stress can hurt your health. The American Psychological Association says chronic stress can lead to heart disease, depression, headaches, weight gain, and other health problems.

But no one can avoid stress completely. The best strategy is to learn ways you can cope with the challenges of life and lower your stress levels through healthy thoughts and habits. The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these tips:

* Figure out what you can and can’t control. If you have no control over something (like the weather or someone else’s behavior), try not to worry about it.

* Tackle small, doable problems if the big ones can’t be done right now.

* See change as an important lesson and a challenge that will help you learn and grow.

* If you have conflicts with others, try to address them calmly. Resolving differences can relieve stress, anxiety and anger.

* When you’re feeling stressed, talk with someone you trust.

* Be realistic with your schedule. Say “no” to things you can’t do.

* Get regular exercise. It can lower stress levels and help you sleep better.

* Choose healthy foods to nourish your body and help you feel your best.

* Take part in an activity you enjoy that can take your mind off stressful things. Sports, music, classes, or just a regular walk around the neighborhood can help you clear your mind.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026