This blog began out of our effort to make a difference in people's lives when we created a fundraising event for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. We were very successful and didn't want to stop. I hope you can find the wellness information you are looking for at our site. BE WELL! Jason
"The Doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease" - Thomas Edison
What your donation will do for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation
All donations made to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation go directly to fund the mission of the Huntsman Cancer Institute: to understand cancer from its beginnings, to use that knowledge in the creation and improvement of cancer treatments, to relieve the suffering of cancer patients, and to provide education about cancer risk, prevention, and care. Mr. Jon Huntsman covers all the administrative and overhead costs of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation so you can be sure that every dollar raised through the foundation goes directly to cancer research, education and care!
The Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) has the largest, most up-to-date Cancer Learning Center in the country. Anyone who completes a registration application can check out a book or DVD on any of the many topics written about cancer today.
HCI, utilizes the the Utah Population Database (UPDB), one of the world’s richest resources of genetic, demographic, and public health information. Under the directorship of Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator Geraldine Mineau, PhD, the UPDB integrates public and cancer records, pedigrees, and vital statistics. The UPDB contains genealogy and family history data and information on all cancers diagnosed in Utah and Idaho with the aim to support health-related research on cancer genetics and survival. For more information search "UPDB" at huntsmancancer.org.
Simple and Practical Cancer Avoidance Tips
Paraphrased from Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time
by Lynne Eldridge and David Borgeson
Tobacco Use:
Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable cancer in the United States, accounting for 30 percent of all cancers.
- Don't Start
- If you are already using tobacco: Stop
Exercise and Nutrition:
Obesity is the second leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States. If trends continue, soon it is sure to be the first. Exercise and nutrition can stop the trend and reduce the rates of cancer as well as many other obesity related illnesses. It is recommended to consume a wide variety of foods so you are more likely to receive an ample supply of the nutrients you need to stay healthy. Remember "you are what you eat."
- Exercise or be active in some way at least thirty minutes per day, ideally forty-five minutes per day
- Start a simple exercise routine: 10 push-ups and 10 sit-ups per day. Or maybe just park in the spot furthest away from the store.
- Find outdoor entertainment: Golf, Walk, Hike, Bike, Run, Play. The TV is empty calorie entertainment, like candy, good for you only once in a while.
- Eat 5 to 9 servings of Fruits and Veggies a day. Keep a 3X5 card with you to record your intake. Here are some ideas to increase intake:
- Visit the library or bookstore for a cookbook with vegetarian recipes or one that has recipes for "hidden" vegetables and fruits.
- Add fruit to pancakes, waffles and cereal
- Freeze grapes or cherries for a yummy summer treat
- Keep fresh fruit on the kitchen counter where you can get to it easily
- Grow a vegetable garden
- Reduce the number of times per week you eat red meat (defined as beef, pork or lamb).
- Choose organically grown and produced foods when possible.
- Clean all produce thoroughly.
Sun-Smart Tips:
The sacred sun brings life to us all and should be given much respect. It is important to get out and play in the sunlight, just be smart about it.
- Avoid extended sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This means stay inside or wear tightly knit clothes (t-shirt=7spf, denim shirt=1400spf)
- Use a broad spectrum Sunblock with an SPF of at least 30. Check its safety for your skin at the SKIN DEEP web site (click here)
- Apply sunblock 20 Minutes before sun exposure and 20 minutes after going outdoors. Reapply every two hours
- Use a daily lotion on your face and neck that contains an SPF of 15 or higher.
Practical Points:
- Open windows and doors on a regular basis to bring fresh air into your home. All the chemicals we use contribute to indoor air pollution.
- Have your home tested for radon and install radon detectors.
- When using chemicals, wear gloves, a proper mask and leave products in their original containers. If you wouldn't swallow it think twice about letting it touch your skin.
- Use "healthy" houseplants to clean your indoor air (find a list in Avoiding Cancer One Day At A TIme.
- Purchase a water filter, preferably a reverse osmosis system, for the water you drink and cook with.
- Minimize the use of home and garden pesticides.
- Avoid dry-cleaning clothes; consider wet-cleaning as an alternative.
- Avoid commercial air fresheners.
Websites where you can learn more:
- Huntsman Cancer Foundation.org
- Huntsman Cancer Institute.org
- Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time - get a copy of this helpful book.
- National Cancer Institute.gov
