Tough Mudder - Nurse Rebecca Bowie

Nurse Rebecca - Tough Mudder competitor

I’m proud to announce one of my new roles as a Nurse at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center is to teach our monthly Tobacco Cessation classes.  I take this role very seriously - if you are a smoker, quitting tobacco is the most important thing you can do for your health and will benefit the health of your loved ones also.  We all know smoking cigarettes increases your risk of developing lung cancer. Did you know it also increases your risk of developing other types of cancer like pancreatic, stomach, kidney, bladder, cervical and head and neck?  Not only will quitting tobacco reduce your risk of dying from cancer it will also reduce your risk of dying from heart disease, stroke and emphysema. The benefits to your body after quitting are almost immediate. For instance, after 20 minutes your heart rate and blood pressure decrease, after 12 hours the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal and oxygen levels elevate, after 24 hours your risk of heart attack decreases… the list goes on and on.  Millions of people have quit smoking for good and you can be one of them.  In this class you will learn how to be successful by: being prepared, utilizing nicotine replacement products, combating triggers, and learning how to receive on-going support.  Completing the Tough Mudder (a hardcore 10 mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces) last weekend was a huge accomplishment for me.  Like quitting tobacco it took willpower and strength.  With preparation and support I succeeded and you can too!  Call 737-3418 for class information or visit our website at www.tccancer.org. 

Rebecca Bowie, RN
Tri-Cities Cancer Center