Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. Breast cancer occurs mainly in woman, but men have breast tissue and can also develop breast cancer. 
 
All forms of Cancer can result from a number of different things. Our family history, our lifestyle, and the environment around us work together to increase or decrease our risk of getting cancer.
Risk factors include smoking, being overweight, heavy consumption of alcohol, not getting enough exercise, and coming in contact with caustic material or chemicals like asbestos over a period of time.  
Lifestyle changes that may prevent cancer include quitting smoking, limiting the amount of alcohol you consume, maintaining a healthy weight, and increasing daily physical activity.

Cancer is a disease that can be cured if caught in its early stages. Even though most medical organizations don't recommend routine breast self-exams as a part of breast cancer screening, a significant number of women report that the first sign of their breast cancer was a new breast lump they discovered on their own. For this reason, it is important to be familiar with the normal consistency of your breasts. If you notice a change in your breasts that seems abnormal or if you notice one breast is different when compared with the other, you must report it to your doctor. It is also important that you receive  screenings such as mammograms as directed by your health provider. We have the power to reduce our cancer risks by living healthier. Talk to your health care professional about how you might lower your risk of cancer.
 
 

  
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
 

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. It’s one of the leading causes of cancer death among all men. However, Black men are disproportionately hit hard by the disease. One in 6 Black men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime — compared to 1 in 8 in other men. They are also more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer.

Dr. Cassandra Moore, a Mayo Clinic oncologist, explains what Black men need to know to reverse the disturbing trend.

Black men harshly impacted by prostate cancer

Men often don’t talk about health issues that occur below the belt, but maybe they should.

“It is the most common cancer in men outside of skin cancer, and it’s the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men,” says Dr. Moore.

It’s unclear why Black men are harshly impacted by prostate cancer. There are likely many contributing factors, such as genetics, diet, environment, access to care and racial bias.

“There are studies that show that African American men are less likely to be offered treatments, be offered even clinical trials,” says Dr. Moore.

Knowing your family history is important. Black men and those with a family history of prostate, breast, colon or ovarian cancer should consider getting screened for prostate cancer starting at age 40.

“The BRCA gene, BRCA1 and 2, play a role in prostate cancer,” explains Dr. Moore.

Maintaining a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limiting red meats and processed foods, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising are beneficial in reducing prostate cancer.

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©2023 Mayo Clinic News Network. Visit newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, and the flu are contagious respiratory illnesses, and cases of all three are expected to increase this winter. These respiratory illnesses are caused by different viruses, but they share similar symptoms.  As a result, it may be difficult to tell what you’ve come down with when you’re feeling under the weather.  The only reliable way to distinguish between the three is with testing.  COVID, RSV and the flu can all be diagnosed using a nasal swab or throat swab. There are currently vaccines for all three of these respiratory viruses and they are effective at decreasing the duration of transmission, and decreasing the likelihood of severe disease.
 
COVID-19, RSV and the flu are spread by virus droplets transmitted when an infected individual coughs or sneezes, and another individual breathes those particles in, or they land on their eyes, nose, or mouth. In some cases, the virus can spread if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your face before washing your hands.  RSV is typically only severe in infants, the elderly, and in people with immune deficiency or chronic medical conditions. RSV symptoms are much less intense, and generally will appear more like a common cold. Symptoms include a runny nose, a cough, itchy and runny eyes, and a relatively low-grade fever. Monoclonal antibodies can be given to infants and is recommended in infants younger than 8 months.  COVID and flu are very similar - they both present with fever, cough, achiness, fatigue, headache, sinus congestion, or a runny nose. Both can cause vomiting and diarrhea. With the flu, however, not all persons will have a fever.  The symptom of a loss of smell is unique to COVID. If you test positive for COVID-19 it is important to seek medical attention ASAP after diagnosis for the medication to be effective. Of note: The updated COVID vaccine has been approved for broad use as of today, September 12th, and should be available within days. Please contact your healthcare provider about what vaccine you should receive.
 
Along with recommended vaccinations - good handwashing, the use of hand sanitizer, and the wearing of masks when in highly populated areas are all encouraged to help us all stay healthy.
 
 

 
In July we observe National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to shed a light on the need for mental health education in our community. Living as a person of color in America, there are issues in our everyday life that may cause stress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
 
Mental health happens in all races and socioeconomic groups, but our communities are affected more due to our history. Even though we make up 13.6 % of the U.S. population, we make up 38% of the prison population. Black people with mental health conditions are more likely to be in jail or prison than people of other races. The police officers in our communities are not properly trained to manage people with mental illness, and this results in injury and/or death of people with mental illness. Also, people of color with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder make up a sizable percentage of our homeless population.
 
People of color are less likely to seek mental health services than other ethnic groups, and this must change. As Christians we are taught to pray when are anxious or depressed. We pray for those who are grieving, but be aware that grief can turn into depression, and depression into substance abuse and other forms of self-harm. We must realize that sometimes along with prayer, we must be willing seek professional help if we just cannot shake our feelings of depression. The symptoms of depression are inability to sleep or sleeping most of the day away; poor appetite or overeating; isolation yourself from family and friends; tearfulness or feelings of despair lasting more than 3-4 days. If someone you know exhibits signs of depression, continued anxiety, or has behavior that does not seem quite right, please encourage them to contact the mental health crisis service line (800) 715-4225. The staff can talk to them and give them referrals to mental health clinicians. If you have a family member who is a danger to you or themselves, instead of calling 911, call 9988 -It might save a life.

 

   
We celebrate men in the month of June with Father’s Day, and we also focus on Men’s Health Month. Woman’s involvement with the health of the men in their lives is critical. Because women typically are in tune with the overall health of their male family members, they can help men to adopt healthier habits. This month is all about encouraging the men in our lives to focus on their health by eating right, exercising, and taking steps to prevent illness.  
 
Promoting early detection and treatment of disease among men is our goal. Men should be encouraged to get annual screenings and bloodwork – not just go to the doctor when they are sick. This ensures that men stay in good health and catch health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and colon cancer before they become serious. There is an overlap between health needs for men and women, but some health issues are specific to men. For instance, prostate cancer only affects men, and it is one of the most common types of cancer in men.
 
Preventive measures are important to maintaining health. A healthy weight through regular exercise and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables will not only decrease a man’s risk for prostate cancer, but also improve their overall physical health.  Celebrate Men’s Health Week June 12 – 18  and Wear Blue Day on June 16 to raise awareness about male health and encourage men to live longer and healthier lives.
 

   
A TIA or pre-stroke is a temporary episode of symptoms similar to those of a stroke. It happens due to a temporary disruption in blood supply to the brain. Although a TIA itself does not lead to permanent and irreparable damage to the brain, it is a warning sign of a possible major stroke in the near future.  Symptoms of a TIA are weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg typically on one side of the body, blurred vision, loss of balance or coordination, and slurred speech. Because a pre-stroke resolves on its own without any permanent damage, many people ignore it. This is a huge mistake, and anyone with symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. A pre-stroke is called a pre-stroke because it often precedes a major stroke. Think of it as an early warning sign.
 
The aim of National Stroke Awareness Month is to make Americans aware of the symptoms of stroke, and that they may be able to save the life of a person experiencing a stroke. The emphasis is on making the public aware about Acting FAST. FAST is an acronym to help you remember what to look for in a suspected stroke victim:
 

• F - Face / Does the face droop on one side when the person smiles?
• A - Arm / After raising both arms, does one of the arms drift downwards?
• S - Speech /After repeating a simple phrase, does the person's speech sound slurred or strange?
• T - Time / If any or all the above are observed call for 9-1-1 and ask for medical assistance. According to the National Stroke Association, a person experiencing a stroke can survive if someone who knows the symptoms acts FAST. 

 Anyone can help someone who is having a stroke. You do not have to be a health care provider to save a life, and even a child can help. No matter where you are - at home, at the store, at church, or at school, be aware if someone has the above symptoms and act FAST to help!
 

 
In the month of April, we are recognizing National Stress Awareness Month. Stress management is vital to our overall health, and this year it is particularly important, with the lasting effects of the pandemic and getting back into social situations. Learning to cope with stress and finding healthy ways to deal with stress can go a long way in living a healthy and positive life. We all experience stress – but it may affect us in different ways. For example, stress can cause feelings of worry and fear, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, back pain, heart palpitations and chest pain, Irritability toward others, fatigue and difficulty sleeping. These are indicators that we are not managing stress effectively.
 
When you are in a stressful situation, specific stress hormones rush into your bloodstream leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and glucose levels – this can be good in an emergency (fight or flight). But if you are overly stressed for an extended time, it can put your health at risk. Unchecked stress can contribute to many health problems, such as headaches, upset stomach, blood pressure elevations, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and depression.

A list of encouraging ways to manage stress and keep your stress levels in check include: 

• Pray and trust in God to calm our anxious hearts with his Spirit
•  Avoid drugs and alcohol, as this can create additional problems and increase the stress you are already feeling
• Try therapeutic massage and aromatherapy 
• Affirm what is right with your life instead of dwelling on what is wrong – know the difference between what you can and cannot change
• Exercise – when you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins which trigger a positive feeling in the body
• Get proper rest, eat a well-balanced diet, and get regular health checks with your primary care provider.

 
Life often presents us with stressful situations, but we can learn to manage stress and live a healthy, happy life full of God’s blessings. 
 
 

   
National Nutrition Month, celebrated in March, stresses the importance of a balanced diet and exercise. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promotes the transformative powers of healthy food choices. Nutrition Month is important because it is an opportunity to reset.  In the January we talked about life goals. Now two months later we can evaluate where we are. It is not too late to start on the road to better health. Better nutrition will help us look and feel better.
 
To begin the journey of looking and feeling better, try the following nutrition tips:

Try to have more home-cooked meals.  Fast foods are full of salt and additives to make them taste better but are unhealthy. 

• Keep healthy snacks on hand such as fresh fruits, raw vegetables, and nuts.  Have fewer chips and sweets. 
• Eat when you are hungry, not when you are lonely, bored, sad, or angry. 
• Try “put down the fork” at meals.  Put your fork down between bites – it makes you eat slower and may stop overeating. 
• Try not to eat after 7pm.  This gives your body a chance to digest your food and may help you to sleep better and ease acid reflux.
• Drink only water for your primary beverage and avoid sugary drinks and juices.

   

   
During this Black History Month, we celebrate Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. Dr. Williams was the first African American cardiologist. He practiced during an era when racism and discrimination prohibited African Americans from admission to public hospitals and denied black doctor’s internships and residencies to practice medicine. To counteract this, Dr. Williams founded Chicago’s Provident Hospital and Training school in 1891. In 1893 Dr. Williams performed the world’s first successful open-heart surgery at Provident Hospital. In 1913, Dr. Williams was appointed as the only African American charter member of the American College of Surgeons.
 
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States and is more prevalent in Black Americans than other ethnicities. Anyone can develop heart disease, but you are at higher risk if you have any of the following:
High cholesterol, uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, are a smoker, are overweight, do not exercise at least 2 days per week, or do not eat a healthy diet. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to prevent heart disease. 
 
Taking the following steps consistently can lower your risks for heart disease: 

• Eating healthier – more fresh fruits and vegetables, low salt, low fat 
• Get active – just 30 minutes a day of physical activity can improve your heart health
• Stay at a healthy weight – ask your health care provider what your ideal weight is and take steps to lose weight if needed 
• Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke 
• Control your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure – if prescribed medication, take it every day as prescribed
• Drink alcohol only in moderation 
• Manage stress – According to an article in the AARP Bulletin, there are some possible psychological benefits of regularly attending worship services, including an increased ability to cope with stress 

 
Taking control of our heart health is the first step to overall wellness!
 
 

We have all made “New Year’s Resolutions,” but how often do we make these resolutions just to have them fall by the wayside by February?  This year let’s propose to try something new!  Instead of “Resolutions,” let’s try to make “Life Goals.”   Studies show that it takes 21 days to create a habit and 90 days to create a lifestyle change.    
 
Suggestions for lifestyle Goals: 

• Spiritual:  Strengthen our prayer life.  Pray over our lives daily and try to expand our time with God not only to seek direction but also to request the desires of our hearts. Remember 2023 is a new year for increased faith and abundant blessings!

 

• Physical – Start an exercise routine.  It can be walking in place while we are watching our favorite television program.  Exercises can also be done while sitting in a chair!  When we exercise it releases a “natural high” called endorphins which can help with depression, anxiety, and pain.  

 

• Mental – We can all train our minds to react differently and positively to negative experiences.  Pray and ask for strength during times of grief or disappointment.  We can strive not to react to negativity by praying for the strength to walk away from an altercation rather than to argue or prove a point.  When we as Christians take “the high road” and think before we speak, listen with an open mind, and silently pray before we react, we are letting our “light shine,” and those in the world will take notice.