Our mission is to optimize
the quality of life of cancer survivors.

Cancer Survivor (n): "any individual that has been diagnosed with cancer, from the time of discovery and for the balance of life"-- National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

April 4, 2008

Dear Friends,

Quite some time ago, President Franklin D. Roosvelt designated April as “Cancer Awareness Month.”  Since this time, many advances have been made in all areas of cancer survivorship.  This week, we wanted to highlight the accomplishments that have brought hope to thousands of survivors and their families. (Source: American Cancer Society)

• 1946-1993 – Smoking rates decrease from 45% to 25% of the American population.

• 1953 – Radiation therapy has been proven to reduce pain and produce 40% of the cures for cancer.

• 1954 – The Hammond-Horn study, produced by the American Cancer Society confirms the relation between smoking and lung cancer.

• 1997 - The first overall downturn in cancer mortality rates is documented (source: NCI)
• Overall cancer death rates fell 1.6% between 1991-95.
• Lung cancer for men fell 6.7% between 1991-95.
• Colorectal cancer fell 18.6% between 1973-93 and 5.4% between 1991-95.
• Breast cancer fell 6.3% between 1991-95.
• Prostate cancer fell 6.2% between 1991-95.
• Testicular cancer fell 65.7% between 1973-93.
• Hodgkin's disease fell 58.4% between 1973-93.
• Leukemia in children dropped 52.9% between 1973-93.
• Cancers in children (up to age 14) fell 44.4% between 1973-93.
• 1997 – Medicare introduces coverage for cancer screening exams.

• 1998 – The first decrease in cancer incidence rate is documented.  Cancer incidence rates decreased 5.7% between 1991 and 1995.

• 1998 – The five year overall cancer survival rate increases to 58%.

• 2000 – The federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act is passed, providing treatment for low-income women diagnosed with cancer.

• 2003 – American Cancer Society researchers determine that being overweight or obese contributes to most cancer types and may be responsible for up to 14% of cancer deaths in men and up to 20% of deaths in women.

In order to continue helping survivors achieve a healthy lifestyle, we would like to provide you with this week’s training tip.  Please do not hesitate to contact one of our Cancer Exercise Specialists if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Training Tip:  “How do I start an exercise program?”

We hope that you are convinced by the information we have been providing that exercise is an important component of a comprehensive survivorship plan.

You may not have thought about an exercise program during your cancer treatment, or perhaps you are nervous about starting one afterwards.

It is important to know, cancer survivor or not, behavior changes are difficult. Cancer survivors, however, understand that exercise is necessary to decrease the chance of recurrence and improve their quality of life after treatment. 

You may be wondering, how do I start a program? How do I change my lifestyle to incorporate the advice of my rehabilitation team?

Most individuals go through the following distinct and predictable stages when making lifestyle changes:

Pre-contemplation
Contemplation
Preparation
Action
Maintenance

Fortunately, cancer survivors typically move into the preparation and action stages more quickly. If you would like to adopt a more active lifestyle after cancer treatment, simply do one thing: write down your reason for wanting to do so.

Do you want to Livestrong like Lance?
Do you want to live longer to spend more time with your children?
Do you want to get on with your life, like it was before cancer?
Do you want to remain independent?
Do you want to lose weight?

What ever your reason may be, you now have a goal; having a goal in mind is the key to starting and maintaining a successful exercise program.  Need some additional help?  Write down your aspirations and come in and talk to our team; the Cancer Survivor Center is here to help.

In health,

Riggs