Cancer Prevention

Detecting skin cancer in darker skin

Tracy E. Hopkins — Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder for all of us to protect our skin. Although it’s a common misconception that African-Americans and other people of color can’t develop skin cancer, in fact, they’re particularly at risk. Here are important skin cancer facts and tips for people with darker skin.

Melanoma survivors neglect sun safety

Kristen Fischer — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 06:53:00 -0700

More than a quarter of melanoma survivors never use sunscreen and some still go tanning, a new report says.

Colorectal cancer happens to women

Sarah E Ladden, MS, RD — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:21:00 -0800

It’s been 13 years since America’s favorite morning news anchor threw on a hospital gown and invited the world to watch the first nationally televised colonoscopy. Having lost her 42-year-old husband to colorectal cancer just two years prior, Katie Couric shelved her modesty and inspired thousands to do the same; researchers even coined a new phrase, “the Couric Effect,” to describe the subsequent rise in colon cancer screenings following the Today Show anchor’s public awareness campaign.

Can you reprogram your body to ward off cancer?

Lise Alschuler, ND, and Karolyn Gazella — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 07:28:00 -0800

Is it possible to transform your internal landscape into one that defends against cancer? Scientific research tells us there are numerous tools at our disposal that improve health and become weapons against cancer. These tools are inexpensive, readily available and have little to no risk.

Foods & recipes that fight cancer

Diana De Cicco — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:30:00 -0700

We all know that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is good for your health, but we may not know exactly what to eat to help prevent cancer. There are tons of fruits and vegetables with cancer-preventing qualities, so eat up. Just remember to continue to take care of yourself in other ways because healthy eating is only part of the equation.

Top 10 reasons to watch the Stand Up 2 Cancer telecast

Whitney Coy — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 10:14:00 -0700

What are your plans for the evening of Sept. 7? We think you should spend it watching the Stand Up 2 Cancer telecast, and here are our top 10 reasons why.

Three recipes that sock it to cancer

Whitney Coy — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:53:00 -0700

There may not be a way to eliminate your chances of getting cancer, but you can greatly reduce your risk by living a healthier lifestyle. This includes revamping your diet to include foods that are rich in cancer-fighting nutrients.

Best pink get-ups from Making Strides walks

Whitney Coy — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 01:37:00 -0700

There's more to a Making Strides event than just showing up and walking. You've got to look the part! These are some of the best pink get-ups from past Making Strides events.

5 Reasons you need to eat more fiber

Michele Borboa, MS — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:57:00 -0700

Fiber is more than just a diet buzzword, it is a crucial nutrient that your body needs to ward off chronic illnesses and achieve optimal health. Aim to consume at least 25 grams of fiber per day, filling your plate with fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as reading labels on your everyday food products and choosing food items with the most fiber. Here are just five of the health benefits fiber has to offer.

7 Top tips to prevent cancer -- at any age

NYC Senior Care — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:20:00 -0700

According to the World Health Organization, one-third of all cases of cancer are avoidable. And while these days it seems as if everything is a potential cause, there are steps you can take to help prevent the onset of cancer for you or your loved ones. Here are seven ways to reduce your risk of getting cancer, whether you're in your 20s or 80s.

Pap smear basics

Mary Fetzer — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:28:00 -0700

Every woman knows that she should have regular Pap smears. Here's what the Pap test really is -- and why it is so important.

Encouraging women to put their health first

Jessica Padykula — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:21:00 -0700

The American Cancer Society is hoping to empower women to take more responsibility for their health through a means we’re all familiar with – entertainment. They recently developed a documentary film in collaboration with Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank, to inspire women nationwide to make their health a priority and take simple steps to help prevent cancer. The film helps mark the first anniversary of Choose You, a nationwide movement created by the American Cancer Society to raise cancer awareness and encourage women everywhere to be proactive about their health.

What you need to know about actinic keratosis

Jessica Padykula — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:02:00 -0700

The sun is shining, summer’s here and you’re probably already spending more time outside than in. You already know you need to protect yourself from the sun but it’s also important to be proactive when it comes to knowing how overexposure to the sun can affect your skin. For instance, actinic keratosis – also referred to as sun spots – is an often-overlooked form of pre-cancer, affecting more than 10 million Americans. AK is worth knowing more about because it has the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma , the second most common skin cancer.

Summer skin health: Skin cancer awareness

Jessica Padykula — Thu, 12 May 2011 12:24:00 -0700

Now that the weather is warming up and the sun has finally come out of hibernation, people are showing a lot more skin. We’ve all been wearing layers for far too long, but celebrating summer shouldn’t mean risking your health. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, which means we need to do more to protect ourselves from harmful UV rays. You can still worship the sun; just make sure you’re not doing it sans sunscreen.

12 Health screenings women need

Jody Oomen-Early, PhD, MS, CHES — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:05:00 -0700

Being a woman today often means keeping track of schedules and deadlines. With so much to do, and so little time to do it, we often bypass our own needs to attend to the needs of others in our lives. Honoring ourselves and being vigilant about our health is central to being able to fulfill our responsibilities, strengthen our relationships, serve our communities and achieve our personal goals and life’s mission. Getting regular checkups, preventive screening tests and immunizations are among the most important things we can do for ourselves in our quest to stay healthy. In honor of Women’s Health Care Month, we present you with 12 health screenings every woman needs. Depending on your personal risk factors and family medical history, your primary care physician may recommend additional or more frequent screenings.

Health effects of radiation: What you should know

Jessica Padykula — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 12:14:00 -0700

Following the devastating earthquake in Japan last month, which caused explosions at the Fukushima nuclear plant, we’ve been hearing a lot about radiation – how much has leaked, how far it will reach and what the immediate and long-lasting effects are going to be. Though the initial panic over radiation has waned and the levels of radiation that have been detected in the US are very low, SheKnows turned to Dr. Carolyn Dean, ND, medical director of the Nutritional Magnesium Association, for some answers about what the health effects of radiation are and what can be done about it.

The best exercises for disease prevention

Kendra Y. Mims — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 02:54:00 -0700

Not feeling inspired lately to hit the gym to work on your six-pack? Let disease prevention be your primary motivation. According to experts, exercising can cut your chances of developing diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. From combating high blood pressure to lowering cholesterol and the risk of developing cancer, the following exercises are recommended by experts to help prevent diseases.

Cancer prevention: It’s never too late

Jessica Padykula — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:14:00 -0700

Cancer is a scary word. No one wants to think about the possibility because it feels like something we have no control over. But the fact is, we do have a role to play when it comes to cancer prevention. We can’t snap our fingers and make it disappear or pop a pill to totally eliminate the possibility, but there are many ways to cut the cancer risk -- the biggest being eating better and moving more. Here are a few top tips to prevent cancer.

Symptoms of cancer: 6 Signs you should go to the doctor

Kristin Chessman — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:33:00 -0800

Although there’s no sure way to prevent cancer, you can help reduce your risk by adopting healthy habits and performing regular screening examinations. When cancer is found at an early stage, it can usually be more easily treated. Read on to discover cancer warning signs.

10 Healthy habits to start now

Kristin Chessman — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:11:00 -0800

Do you feel helpless in the fight against preventing cancer? Don’t! Instead, focus your energy on achieving overall health. Empower yourself by learning about the healthy habits you can start now to help reduce your risk of cancer.

Cancer survival trends since 2000

Jaime Herndon — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:49:00 -0800

The battle against cancer rages on, but believe it or not, there is a bright side to the silent killer: The National Cancer Institute has reported cancer incidences are actually on the decline and that survival rates are up since 2000. Are we winning? Here are the trends since 2000.