Living Well While Surviving Cancer

Regularly Have Health Exams

What exactly should we be be tested for? To answer that question, we again turn to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Many of know that we should have regular health exams. But what exactly should we be be tested for? To answer that question, we again turn to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the CDC: “It’s time to take charge of your health! Schedule an appointment with your health care provider to discuss what screenings and exams you need and when you need them.”

What Health Services are Recommended?

These links provide information about key exams, screenings, and vaccinations:

Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection
Cholesterol
Colorectal Cancer Screening
High Blood Pressure
Immunization Schedules
Oral Health for Adults
Prostate Cancer Screening
Skin Cancer: Basic Information
HIV/AIDS
Viral Hepatitis

And these links provide tools to help prepare for your next appointment.

Remembering to Take Your Meds

For those of US who take multiple medications each day, remembering may be a lot harder. This is especially true if medication dosage differs by time of day or by frequency.

For those of you who rarely need medications, remembering them may be rather simple. For those of US who take multiple medications each day, remembering may be a lot harder. This is especially true if medication dosage differs by time of day or by frequency.

So, thank you to Olivia DeLong for “9 Easy Ways to Remember to Take Your Meds”:

“Nearly half of Americans took one prescription drug in the past month. And about 12 percent (40 percent over the age of 65) took at least five, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Not to mention, an astounding 50 percent of Americans don’t take their medications as prescribed by their doctors.”

“People take medications for different reasons, including managing health conditions, preventing or slowing disease, relieving symptoms, and more. However, the CDC estimates that failure to keep up with medication regimens contributes to 30 to 50 percent of chronic disease treatment failures and 125,000 deaths per year in the United States.”

“Americans forgo their daily medication routines for many reasons, reports the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including: Forgetfulness. Failure to understand the directions. Numerous medication regimens. Unwanted side effects. Cost. Perception of effectiveness.”

Click the image to read 9 tips from DeLong for better remembering to take medications.

Clinical Cancer Advances 2018

Each year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) publishes a report on cancer research advances. The FREE 2018 edition of the report is now available. See below.

Each year, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) publishes a report on cancer research advances. The FREE 2018 edition of the report is now available. See below.

As ASCO notes:

“Cancer is one of the world’s most pressing health care challenges, with more than 14 million people receiving a cancer diagnosis each year. Thanks to investment and progress in cancer research, people today are living longer with this disease than ever before. Clinical Cancer Advances 2018 highlights the most impactful research advances and policy developments of the past year and previews where cancer science is headed. The report was developed under the direction a 20-person editorial board of experts in different oncology sub-specialties, as well as cancer prevention, quality of care, health disparities, and tumor biology.”

“Clinical Cancer Advances 2018 was supported, in part, by funds from Conquer Cancer’s Mission Endowment. This report is also published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.”

Click the image to access the full 60-page report.

Are YOU Sleeping Well Enough

It’s been drilled into most of us from an early age. “Be sure to get enough sleep.” But do we get adequate sleep? Today, we look at the effects of sleep on our bodies and tips about sleeping.

It’s been drilled into most of us from an early age. “Be sure to get enough sleep.” But do we get adequate sleep? Today, we look at the effects of sleep on our bodies and tips about sleeping.

As Olivia DeLong writes for Sharecare:

“It’s a fact: Americans have trouble with sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2018 Sleep Health Index, which is done quarterly, 41 percent of Americans said that poor or insufficient sleep had affected their daily activities at least once in the preceding seven days.”

“And when it comes to the type of trouble many of us are experiencing, sleep expert and clinical psychologist Michael Breus, PhD, thinks that most people deal with either acute or long-term sleep deprivation as opposed to complete sleep deprivation. In other words, most people are getting less than the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night over the course of one or more days rather than not getting any sleep at all.”

“The lack of sleep affects everyone differently. And researchers don’t fully understand the short- and long-term effects of too little sleep. But the benefits of regular sleep are very much understood. Dr. Breus says there are three different areas of concern when we talk about sleep deprivation after acute or long-term sleep deprivation: emotional, physical, and cognitive. Here’s what you can expect after one or more nights of poor sleep—plus what you can do to improve your sleep.”

Click the image to view a slide show.

Understanding Health Insurance

Do YOU have adequate health insurance? If yes, does it cover all of your needs? Are you aware of your options?

The American Cancer Society offers excellent resources on health insurance. Click the image below to access the site.

Commemorating 9-11-2018

We remember all victims from 9-11.

It is hard to believe that 17 years have passed since the awful events of 9-11-2001. As we said last year: 9-11-01 remains “one of the worst days in American history — a tragedy that many of us will remember forever. On this anniversary, it is a good time to reflect.” Today, we need to spend some time commemorating 9-11-2018.

We remember all victims from 9-11, including those who lost their lives on 9-11-2011 and in the years since the then. We also offer our best wishes with those who have health problems arising from 9-11.

Commemorating 9-11-2018

“Tribute in Light is a commemorative public art installation first presented six months after 9-11 and then every year thereafter. It’s open from dusk to dawn, at night on September 11. It has become an iconic symbol that both honors those killed and celebrates the unbreakable spirit of New York. On the anniversary of 9-11, the Memorial Plaza is open to the public from 3 P.M. to midnight for the viewing of Tribute in Light. And it can also be viewed from a 60-mile radius around lower Manhattan.”

“Explore the 9-11 Memorial Museum through this interactive video experience, selecting different paths through the Museum’s vast spaces and exhibitions.”

CLICK THE IMAGE to see the interactive video.