The Best Ways to Prevent Cancer

Cancer is a disease that affects many people. Many cancer-causing agents have been
identified by researchers. Most forms of cancer can be prevented by making some basic lifestyle changes, such as exercising and eating healthy, avoiding sun exposure and refraining from tobacco use. Smoking is a bad habit.

Avoid Tobacco
1. Tobacco, in the forms of cigarettes, chewing tobacco and snuff, is the most common cause of cancer deaths in developing countries (30 percent), according to the Mayo Clinic's website (see References below). Second-hand smoke also can increase your risk of lung cancer, so avoid exposure.




Stay Active
2. Being overweight or obese may increase your risk of certain types of cancer, experts at the Mayo Clinic warn (see References below). Physical activity helps you maintain a healthy weight and lowers your risk of certain cancers.

Eating Healthy
3. Although the foods you eat won't prevent you from getting cancer, eating healthy has been proven to drastically decrease the risk. Limit your fat intake since high-fat, high-calorie diets tend to lead to obesity, which can increase the risk of cancer. Instead, fill your diet with fruits and vegetables (at least five servings a day). These will help you lose and maintain your weight. If you do decide to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

Beware of the Sun
4. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, and exposure to the sun is the primary cause. However, it's also one of the most preventable types of cancer. The Mayo Clinic (see References) suggests that you avoid going outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., peak hours for radiation exposure. When you do go outside, stay in the shade, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 15), and wear clothing and hats to protect your arms, legs, face and ears. Don't use indoor tanning beds or sun lamps.

Immunize and Avoid High-Risk Behaviors
5. There are some viral infections linked with cancers that can be easily prevented by immunizing. The World Health Organization (see References) warns that certain infections are passed on through risky behavior (mainly sexually or through sharing contaminated needles), which will increase chances of cancer. This includes Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and C, and Human Papillomavirus (or HPV).

Regular Screening and Self-Examination

6. Experts at the Mayo Clinic (see References) say that, while doing this won't prevent cancer, it will increase the likelihood of cancer being detected early on, which will increase the chances of successful treatment. Be aware of changes to your body, and see your doctor if you notice any.

By Sarah Jackson
eHow Contributing Writer
More information please visit: ehow.com

Credit Card Declined? That and Amex Thinks I’m Dead

What a shock THAT was at the Starbucks this morning! Well, it turns out someone was having a ball at Walmart and Food Lion somewhere in South Carolina with my card. Sheesh! Good thing the folks at Chase caught that early and are taking care of the fraudulent charges.

It’s just annoying at this point. Cute Man (an authorized user) and I will have to wait until they send us a new cards in order to use them again. It’s just a minor crimp in my strategy of using the card for all purchases, building up reward points, and paying the balance each month. Then there are all the automatic withdrawals linked to that card that I’ll need to update when I get a new card number. Oh, well. A few minutes of my time to make those changes isn’t exactly a big deal.

But how did they get my card? Neither of our physical credit cards is missing so I’m thinking that the number was somehow hijacked and then a fake card was made. I mean, they used it at Walmart, so they probably needed an actual card, right? In any case, I’m hoping this is the end of it. We’ll get new cards next week, I’ll fill out the fraud paperwork, and that will be it (cross your fingers!)

In other news, I finally dealt with the mistake on one of my credit reports. One of my old credit cards was listing me as “deceased”. Yep, as in no longer among the living. I put in my request for an “investigation” which I find kind of funny in this case – how much investigating is necessary to prove I’m still breathing… I mean, I could be a pretty good eye-witness…

So I’m in pretty much in a “deal with stuff” kind of mood, which is actually quite contrary to my normal state. It’s crazy to see how dealing with this stuff really isn’t all that bad once I just go ahead and just do it already. It’s the dread that keeps me from dealing… This is of course all in the quest towards home ownership. Hopefully, with this credit snafu cleared up, we’ll be able to move forward with the home-buying process with NACA in January!

How to Prevent a Stroke

Information from Your Family Doctor

How to Prevent a Stroke

What is a stroke?

A stroke happens when there is a problem with the blood supply to a part of the brain. The area of the brain that does not get enough blood becomes damaged.
A stroke can happen when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain. A stroke also can happen when the wall of an artery bursts.


Depending on which part of the brain has poor blood supply, a stroke can be mild to severe. Here are some problems strokes can cause:

• Problems with moving (including paralysis)
• Problems with feeling
• Loss of vision
• Problems with thinking, understanding, or communicating (that is, problems with speaking, reading, or writing)
• Changes in emotion or behavior


What increases my risk of having a stroke?

Strokes can happen in anyone, but they tend to be more common in older men, black people, and Asian people. Although we cannot change our age, gender, or race, we can control the following risk factors for stroke:

• Tobacco use
• High cholesterol levels
• Inactive lifestyle
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heavy alcohol use
• Atrial fibrillation, which is an unsteady heart rhythm (say: ay-tree-all fib-rill-ay-shun)

What can I do to lower my risk of having a stroke?

Here are some things everyone can do to lower their chances of having a stroke—these things will also lower your risk of having a heart attack:
• Get your blood pressure checked regularly and get treatment if it is high. High blood pressure is a “silent” illness with no warning signs.
• If you smoke—stop! Ask your family doctor for ways to help you quit.
• Eat low-fat foods, and have your cholesterol levels checked by your family doctor.
• Exercise regularly—for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
• Keep your weight under control. If you are overweight, lose weight.
• If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar levels. Controlling your diabetes will help your heart, kidneys, eyes, and brain.

Can medicine help lower my risk of stroke?

Medicines can help prevent strokes in some people. If you need one of these medicines, your family doctor will prescribe it for you.

If you have high blood pressure, and diet, exercise, and weight loss do not control it, you may need to take medicine to lower your blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure in people who have hypertension is the most important way to prevent stroke.
If your cholesterol level is high and exercise and diet do not lower it, you may need to take a cholesterol-lowering medicine.

If you have atrial fibrillation, you may need to take a blood thinner such as warfarin (brand name: Coumadin).

Aspirin can lower the risk of stroke in some people. However, aspirin is not for everyone. There are risks associated with taking aspirin every day.

Please visit: http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/1215/p2389.html for more information about how to prevent stroke and health information.

PS: Please consult with your doctor for more information.