Over the past couple of decades having a healthy lifestyle has been the one thing to achieve in life. There were discoveries in the medical field of new diseases and epidemic issues throughout the world and the United States. Many forms of diseases such as cancer with breaks off into sub groups for different parts of the human body have changed our views on life in ways we cannot imagine. The progression of the diseases and in the numbers of people has brought on new issues and concerns that affect every aspect of our daily lives. Now everyone is afraid of the word cancer and the meaning that comes behind it. Some people see it as a sign of death; others see it as another bridge they have to cross in life. With all of the new technology and scientific discoveries, scientist and physicians are pin pointing the various aspects of life that could in fact prevent anyone from developing cancer. The discoveries have sent people into a state of either panic or dismissal. Many families are taking huge steps in order to lead a healthy lifestyle and avoid the things that can put their health at risk. The changing in the eating habits, sleeping, work, and various duties of everyday life are now a part of cancer prevention and a healthy lifestyle. The consumer’s market has been able to reach out to this audience by the various products such as vitamins and detox foot pads. The commercials are constantly played throughout the late hours of the night to the early morning. The media has put out a mass scare across the world that cancer is just a killer and no one can survive. Television and the internet has become a part of our daily lives. Websites such as YouTube and Facebook have videos and groups about cancer and promoting a certain product or lifestyle. You can watch thousands of videos online about this product and that book on how to prevent cancer and what you need to do in order to succeed. The daily issues of eating and sleeping have become an aspect of cancer prevention and a major factor into who we are. The relationships formed between the doctor and a patient can be critical to how our lifestyles will change. They can help lead many into the right direction by becoming healthy.
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| Figure 1 FDA Daily Food Pyramid |
There are a lot of diet theories in the world today such as Hydroxycut and Phenphedrine that promote weight loss and healthier lifestyle through a pill. The Hydroxycut and Phenphedrine are pills in which a person ingests on a daily basis in order to loose weight. Other theories consist of constant exercise and eating healthy based on the Federal Drug Administration Food Pyramid (Figure 1), which is used by Nutritionist and Physicians. The food pyramid (Figure 1) shows how much intake of certain foods we should eat daily in order to maintain a healthy life. This has helped many who are diagnosed with cancer and others to prevent any further damaged to their bodies. There are so many pills, books such as the Budwig Diet, and foods in grocery stores and various types of department stores. Many drug companies are trying to create diet pills and theories that can reach a consumer and their needs. The negative effect of being on a diet is that many people take their health into their own hands and are not consulting a physician first. In order to maintain that certain weight and prevention you need the support and guidance of a professional who can steer you in the right direction. They are the ones who can order test to be done and tell you what you can do to be healthy. It is better to lead a healthy lifestyle knowing that you’re affecting yourself in a positive way by taking the necessary steps to live a longer life.
The families that we all love and care for on a daily basis have a huge impact on our health. If you have not noticed how for many doctor visits or emergency situations your family history will always be asked. They are the ones who taught us how to cook and eat based on their own habits. Unfortunately not everyone has the best habits for their health and develop an eating pattern that can take time to break or too late to make a change. For example smoking cigarettes at the age of eighteen can cause several issues such as lung cancer or throat cancer. For the most part eating habits are developed very young and the doctor visits at a young age can really be a positive attribute to living better. The support of your family in leading a healthier lifestyle can really bridge the gap in cancer prevention. To note one thing is that cancer has no choice on age whether you’re just a child (Figure 2) or elderly you are always at risk if you are not paying attention to your health.
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| Figure 2 Young Cancer Patient |
There are various support groups that can aid people of all ages such as the American Cancer Society which can help patients and families locate a local support group and various physicians and nutritionist in the area. They also help families find financial assistance and any other various needs. The support groups can come by meetings with each other at the local hospital or a cancer research centers such as the Markey Cancer Center located in Lexington, Kentucky, online forums, and even just a group of people meeting in each other’s homes on a frequent basis. Although the online support groups are fairly new, they are expanding greatly with Internet access from almost anywhere around the world. There are many positive aspects of being in a support group and having others there that can help you along the way in achieving your goals. One story that has really touched my heart and something I could never pass up is the story of Steve Johnson who was in stage 3 colon cancer and in need of one last surgery (American Cancer Society). He lost his health insurance and was in need of some assistance. Johnson said “People don’t know what it means to someone in a situation like this”, because there were so many questions left unanswered and his worries seemed to grow deeper (American Cancer Society). The American Cancer Society stepped in and answered his unfulfilled questions and guided him back on track to obtain health insurance. Having that support system to guide and help in the times of need or even when you are not struggling can make all the difference on how we view our lives and futures. Sadly there are negative effects of support groups based on the people you interact with. A lot of people are different with various backgrounds and culture. At times not everyone is going to be receptive to others and their feelings on life. There can be a lot of views that can be in conflict and cause tension instead of being able to talk things out. This can have bad effects such as anger issues, stress, an unhealthy lifestyle, and risk your health. For the most part cancer support groups and the changes in lifestyle can only be positive or negative in your own eyes. You make the situation based on the way it is because of choices that are made. The activities of different support groups can be fun and lighten the spirits of the patients and family members. They can plan group outings to the park and have a picnic or a fundraiser to help the support group and the patients. All of the activities planned can promote a healthy lifestyle and support because the food has to be mindful of everyone’s help and everyone is there to eat right along with you. It is moments where you are surrounded by people who understand what you are going through and try to help in every way possible the patients and families can smile and be at peace. A lot of patients and families can find best friends and increase their lifestyle qualities through finding others that truly understand. Having the support of others can boost the morale and make life seem a lot easier in the times of trouble.
The cancer treatments can be the biggest issue among cancer patients because of how much it can drain the body and make you feel tired. In a recent study by United Healthcare, “sixteen percent of doctors said they give chemotherapy even to patients who get low- risk scores” (Hastings Center Report). This has cost many families and insurance companies thousands of dollars and emotional support because at times patients don’t need the treatment with the use of the Oncotype DX testing, which is a test to determine if and what type of treatment is best (Hastings Center Report). Chemotherapy has become one of the most prevalent treatments for cancer and has had a wide range of support based on the use by the patients and in some cases hormone therapy is also used. This can change the lifestyle of patients because of the side effects of chemotherapy such as anemia, loss of appetite, hair loss, bleeding, infections, hormone changes, and other various health issues. There are many different changes that have to be made when on chemotherapy such as eating habits, activities, daily routines, and even jobs. Families have to also make the adjustment towards transportation, money, insurance, and making life as comfortable as possible. Cancer treatments can alter lives in various ways that not everyone’s is alike. People can become sad and dishearten or they can become empowered to help themselves and others( Figure 3).
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| Figure 3 Joyous Cancer Patient Embracing Life |
The lifestyles before cancer can vary from person to person, but the focus is on the person who led a healthy lifestyle as opposed to someone who really did not care too much about their health and liked living their own way. At this point and time leading a healthy lifestyle can make a huge impact on how cancer can develop and the transitions from one health issue to another. Maybe before the diagnoses of cancer there was not a lot of exercise and watching what you ate. There was a sense that you felt fine and there was no reason to change your daily routine. But when things do change and cancer does become prevalent your lifestyle has to change to and so does every one of your immediate family members. The daily stress, eating, and exercise patterns can all become a part of a change. You begin to change your diet and what you eat very closely. The little things in life you once enjoyed now have to be analyzed to make sure you can achieve it. The question always lingers one’s mind as to if there is a need to keep the new habits developed throughout the cancer process or lean towards the old one before cancer? This question became the topic of research from the Sprecher Institute of Cornell University. The article discusses the diet and lifestyle before and after cancer. This particular article focuses on breast cancer, which is in high numbers in the Western part of the world. It poses several questions as to different test and studies done that looks at the relationship between diet before and after breast cancer, the effects, and if there needs to be a diet change. This answers a lot of questions that many are unable to answer in terms of prevention and being able to maintain the status a survivor of cancer. The changes can be made through changing what you eat and paying more attention to the labels instead of your own likes and dislikes of food. The simple things as taking a daily walk with a friend, by yourself, or even a pet companion can become motivation. It’s the special people in our lives that can help motivate to make the change whether it is a spouse, best friend, nurse, or physician, anyone who inspires you to increase the chances of survival. There are various supports when it comes to changing your life style and breast cancer is a huge example of women who have bonded together to support one another (Figure4). There are walking groups, exercise classes, or just a group of close friends who are willing to make the changes together. There are so many different websites to check out and find a support group that fits your needs.
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| Figure 4 Breast Cancer Support Walk |
Race and location can play a huge factor into cancer based on certain exposures or living conditions. In the Environmental Health Perspectives research article it looks at the cancer risk between the Hispanics and African Americans based on indoor air pollution. The main point of the article is that “disparities in environmental exposures may disproportionately affect the health of ethnic minorities”, in the fact that many people of minority tend to struggle with housing and live based on where they feel the most comfortable. It seems though in fact the United States has a higher rate in colon, prostate, and breast cancer than the other parts of the world according to Newsweek. Many doctors have bound the research that people from the western part of the world tend to lead a more unhealthy diet such as greasy fries, burgers, and red meat. The diet of other parts of the world is described as “prudent diet rich in fruits and vegetables and including only small amounts of red meats” (Newsweek). The research was based on the surgical procedure of removing colon- cancer cells and how different people with different diets had higher risk during and after surgery. Some cultures do not have the fast food restaurants or nice eating out places that stay open all hours of the night at times. Many countries are left with fresh food and animals that can sometimes become contaminated and cause serious health issues. It is obviously a huge factor because not every race or country has developed the same statistics in cancer rates or the exact same reasons why. It has taken several years in order to come to the conclusion of the effects of your diet and cancer. It seems that each race and color of life takes on a different cancer in a higher rate than others and there is still no positive answer as to why this occurs. But with the help and support of patients, doctors, and researchers we can have a better understanding of what really goes on and how we can not only help ourselves but are able to help others.
There are so many ways to reduce the risk of cancer as a population in general such as eating healthier foods and staying away from fast food every night. Cutting back the sweets and taking daily walks can also help to reduce the risk of cancer. The methods of reducing cancer are varied by the patient and the doctor’s advice which should be in heavy consideration. This paper is in no way medical advice or research for a cure. This is just an informative paper and I would recommend speaking with a doctor for any issues regarding cancer, lifestyles, and eating habits because they can give you the best information. The routine checkups to the doctor or even an emergency can make all the difference in one’s life. By forming a relationship with your doctor and nurse you can become more aware of disease based on race and make the necessary changes in order to prevent them. You can also help others who are not aware and make an effort to give out information and help others who are at risk.
This paper has become very eye opening to various cancers and the effects on others and the patients. There are so many behind the scenes and certain topics not addressed that a lot of people are not aware of. This can cause a lot of confusion and wrong information. By taking the steps to get to know ourselves and habits we can make a life different in ourselves and others. People can only see the outward appearance and not what it does to a person’s emotions. The support that cancer patients have and what their families and friends provide is the backbone to survival and happiness. Lifestyle is a huge part of what makes us who we are and what we do in the world. We create an identity that can shape our lives based on what we enjoy the most and how we do it. I hope that everyone takes a lot at themselves and see how the simple things such as drugs, smoking, tobacco, and other harmful activities can raise the risk for cancer. Many do not see the negative effects and do not understand how one’s life can end in just a second. Taking the time to get to know our bodies and who we are is worth living a life of joy and peace. There should be no worry if we are going to see the next day or not or if we will ever achieve the true things we want. Cancer has become very popular throughout the United States and other countries. Movies, books, and specialized doctors are being created every day to deal with the issues and give insight to the outside world to see what life really is like and how mistakes can be made. Ignoring the obvious signs that are there and not seeing a doctor can put your life at even a higher risk. There are so many factors that play into developing cancer that they cannot all be named. The importance of taking the time out for out for ourselves and taking care of our bodies can make a huge difference. The conclusion of this paper is not a lecture or boring story, it is a life lesson that has been learned. Experience and knowledge can never replace the changes that can be made in just a split second.
