Over the last several years, evidence has accumulated for a number of cancers that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough physical activity, and eating a healthy diet can reduce the chance of recurrence and increase the likelihood of disease-free survival after a diagnosis of cancer.

Big news.

Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Weight

Extra weight is linked to increased risk of the cancer coming back and decreased survival rates among breast, prostate, and colorectal (colon) cancer survivors, and possibly others.  Being overweight is a risk factor for these 3 cancers (and others), and many people with cancer are over­weight at the time of diagnosis. For these survivors, setting lifelong goals to achieve and maintain a healthy weight are among the most important health-related goals that can be set. Healthy ways to control weight include:

Limiting high-calorie foods

Drinking fewer beverages high in fat and/or added sugar

Eating more low-calorie foods like vegetables and fruits

Adding more physical activity throughout the day

Be Active on a Regular Basis

Many studies have shown that being physically active has a tremendous impact on quality of life of cancer survivors. Now, studies have demonstrated that physical activity after cancer diagnosis is also associated with a lower  risk of the cancer coming back and improved overall survival among multiple cancer survivor groups, including breast, colon, prostate, and ovarian cancer.

Among breast cancer survivors, a recent analysis showed that getting exercise after diagnosis was associated with a 34% lower risk of breast cancer deaths, a 41% lower risk of dying from all causes, and a 24% lower risk of breast cancer recurrence. Among colon cancer survivors, studies suggest exercise cuts deaths from colon cancer and all causes, and cuts the risk of the cancer coming back by up to 50%.

Our recommendations, and those of the American College of Sports Medicine, encourage survivors to aim to exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, and to include strength training exercises at least 2 days per week.  For survivors who have not been previously active, gradually working up to these recommendations is the way to go.  Read more

Source: American Cancer Society

“This is a very important health fair screening event for the underserved community,” said urologist Dr. Bedford Waters, who will provide prostate cancer exams and PSA tests. ” Read more

The Urology Centers of Alabama will once again be conducting free prostate cancer screenings in Pike County. The screenings will be from 10 am until 2 pm on Saturday, March 31, at the Pike County Health Department. Read more

NEW YORK, March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Nearly five black women die needlessly per day from breast cancer in the United States – a total of 1,722 deaths annually – according to a study released today at the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Forum and simultaneously published in Cancer Epidemiology. The 2012 Racial Disparity in Breast Cancer Mortality Study found that 21 of the 25* largest U.S. cities have a black: white disparity in breast cancer mortality, 13 of which are statistically significant. Read more

Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death today, but it can be successfully treated if detected early. On Wednesday, March 28, you can pick up a free test kit at the Verona Health Department to start the screening process at home. The test detects the presence of “occult” (that is, unseen) blood, which can be an indicator of a problem.

According to the Health Department, the test is quick and easy. You do your own test in the privacy of your home and send the results to your own physician for follow up.

The free kits and education materials will be available on March 28 at the Verona Health Department, 880 Bloomfield Avenue, in the Verona Community Center. No appointment is required. The program is being made available in cooperation with Mountainside Hospital. If you have questions, call the Health Department at 973-857-4800.

To increase awareness of colon cancer, the American Cancer Society this month — Colon Cancer Awareness Month — is offering free testing kits in Wichita.

The take-home Fecal Occult Blood Tests are available for individuals 50 years and older or anyone with a family history of colon cancer at Walgreens pharmacy locations at Central and Hillside, 13th and Waco, Central and West, Harry and Broadway, 55th and Broadway, and Harry and Edgemoor. Read more

When detected early and treated promptly, skin cancer is almost always curable. But spotting the lumps, scaly patches or a changed mole that can signal the possibility of skin cancer can be tricky. Be safe and join our physicians at a free screening for skin cancer.

The screening will be held on Saturday, May 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at UHS Primary Care Johnson City located in the Picciano Building, second floor, at UHS Wilson Medical Center, Johnson City, NY.

An appointment is required by calling 607 763-6383. Screenings are free, open to the public, and available to people of all ages.

Gateway Regional Medical Center will offer free colon cancer screening kits on Wednesday, March 21, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at several area locations. Kits will be available at the 21st Street “drive through” on the Gateway’s Campus, 2100 Madison Ave., Granite City; Heartland Healthcare of Wood River, 300 Lakin Blvd, Wood River; and Healthland Healthcare of Collinsville, 101 United Drive, Colinsville.

Danville, IL — If you’ve been putting off that colonoscopy, Provena United Samaritans Medical Center wants to help you make up your mind to get this potentially life-saving screening for colorectal cancer.

The hospital is offering a colonoscopy open house from 1 to 3 p.m. April 1, and it’s free and open to the public.

The open house will include refreshments, tours and information on cancer prevention, early detection and colonoscopy. read more