Prevention, Ribbons, and Awareness

National Cancer Prevention Awareness Month is observed in the United States every February. Awareness ribbons are powerful symbols in the fight against cancer with each color representing a specific type of cancer.¹ Since red is often associated with hearts and love in February, it is interesting to note that the red ribbon represents blood cancers broadly. Each type of blood cancer then has its own ribbon such as leukemia (orange), Hodgkin lymphoma (violet), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (lime green), and multiple myeloma (burgundy).

In respect to all cancers, basic cancer awareness practice focuses on prevention, early detection, and timely screening to reduce risk and improve treatment outcomes. Some key practices include risk reduction and prevention since a huge portion of cancer cases are preventable through lifestyle modifications. Key preventive measures include:

• Avoiding Tobacco: Refrain from all forms of tobacco use (smoking and chewing tobacco) and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, as it is a leading cause of preventable cancer deaths.
• Staying Active: Engage in regular physical activity 20-30 mins a day that elevates your heart rate and makes you breathe harder, but you can still talk, though you likely couldn't sing. It does include housework and yard chores!
• Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Obesity is linked to an increased risk of cancer.
• Eating a Healthy Diet: Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit the consumption of red meat, processed meat, and high-calorie foods.
• Limiting Alcohol: If you choose to drink, do so in moderation (up to one drink per day for women and up to two for men).
• Protecting Skin from the Sun: Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, wear protective clothing, seek shade during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and avoid tanning beds to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
• Getting Vaccinated: Certain infections increase cancer risk. Get vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent cervical and other cancers, and Hepatitis B to prevent liver cancer.

To promote early detection and screening, getting regular check-ups and recommended cancer screening tests is crucial for finding cancer early, when treatment is most effective. Talk to your doctor about recommended screenings based on your age, sex, and family history. It is crucial to understanding your family's health history to identify potential genetic predispositions and higher risks, allowing for a personalized screening plan.

The main awareness is to know your body. Be aware of your body's normal state and report any unusual or persistent changes such as a new lump, a sore that doesn't heal, unexplained weight loss, or constant, chronic fatigue.

As Editor-In Chief, it has been a touching time to hear stories and survivorship feats by people affected by cancer. I've decided it's time for me to move on to new opportunities but maintain awareness through the tips each has shared. I wish all of you the best of health and happiness in life.

Source

1. www.nfcr.org/blog/cancer-ribbon-colors-and-what-they-represent/