A Healthy 2014 - Michael Novakovich, TCCC

Climbing Badger Mt. with my mentee, Nathan (left),
and my two pups, Primo and Marciano.

Diet and exercise. My guess is…diet and exercise, or their desired benefits, are at the top of most New Year’s resolution lists. I think it’s safe to say that we all want to be healthy. We want to feel good and enjoy the benefits a healthy lifestyle provides, including the prevention of cancer.

Working our way towards better health doesn’t have to be a monumental task. In fact, time and a again you’ll read tips from healthcare professionals suggesting you should start by making small/manageable changes and continue to build on these. Maybe you start by getting active. No, this doesn’t mean you need to train for a marathon! Instead, commit to talking a walk then grow the number of days you walk and the length/duration. From there you might be able to work you way up to a Zumba class (Lori Lott, our Foundation Special Events Coordinator, is an instructor) or another activity that gets your heart rate going. Already active, good for you! Stay the course and perhaps find ways to keep your routine fresh. The good news is, numerous studies have shown physical activity reduces your risk of cancer and improves survivorship of those diagnosed with cancer.

What about diet? Glad you asked! Diet is critical to your health and wellbeing. Portion control is often a good place to start. The “Super Sized” society we live in has warped the perceptions of many as to what is a reasonable portion size. I speak from experience here… While we do need to gain control over our food intake, what we eat plays an even bigger role. There are several foods that have cancer-fighting properties. Do a search on Cruciferous Vegetables and Cancer Prevention and you will find a wealth of information.

Cancer screenings such as mammograms, cervical examinations, colorectal screenings and many others are key in staying healthy along with regular check ups with your doctor. Avoid risky behaviors such as smoking and excessive use of alcohol. Educate yourself on sun protection and put into practice what you have learned. Get immunized! This list is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to cancer prevention. Nor is it medical advice. Our hope is that this information sparks a conversation between you and your doctor about what is the right path for you to follow so you may enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle!

The links below provide a wealth of information on diet, exercise and general cancer prevention. There are many other great sites as well, including information provided by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, which we are a Network Member of: http://www.seattlecca.org/prevention-early-detection.cfm

Hope you all have a healthy 2014. I have to run, just heading out the door to take my dogs for a walk!

~ Michael

Michael Novakovich
Director Business Development
Tri-Cities Cancer Center

Nation Cancer Institute prevention information: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/prevention/overview/patient

National Cancer Institute physical activity information: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/physicalactivity

National Cancer Institute nutrition information: http://www.nutrition.gov/nutrition-and-health-issues/cancer

USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans: http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm