This Year, Resolve to Stay Well

12/11/09 Posted in News  |  0 Comments

THIS YEAR, RESOLVE TO STAY WELL –  The typical New Year’s resolutions people make – to eat healthier, exercise more, and quit smoking – could also be categorized under one important resolution: Stay well. According to the American Cancer Society, about half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by avoiding tobacco products, maintaining a healthy weight through eating right and exercising regularly, and getting recommended cancer screening tests. This year, learn how you can help create a world with less cancer and more birthdays by taking steps to reduce your risk of cancer and stay well.

Eating Right + Exercising Regularly = Healthier You
There is strong scientific evidence that healthy eating – including five or more servings of vegetables and fruits each day – along with regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity on five or more days of the week), are essential to maintain a healthy body weight and reduce cancer risk.

If eating a healthy diet and staying active have been challenging for you in the past, fear not. The American Cancer Society is here to help you take steps to keep your resolutions – and enjoy a healthier lifestyle – with personalized online tools to set goals and track your progress. By signing up to take the American Cancer Society Eat Right & Get Active Challenge at eatrightgetactive.org, you’ll find tools to help you get started with specific recommendations tailored to your current eating and exercise habits. You’ll also find help for the most common healthy eating pitfalls such as judging serving sizes and portions, and tools such as a food journal to help keep track of your progress. Stay motivated by signing up to receive personalized emails that inspire you to meet your specific goals.

Take Your Motivation to the Next Level
If your resolution is to participate in an endurance event like a half-marathon, marathon, triathlon, or cycling race, you can make every mile more meaningful by dedicating your training and race participation to the fight against cancer through the American Cancer Society DetermiNation® program. With every step you take and every mile you conquer, you’ll help save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

Know your screenings.
Regular screenings by a health care professional can help find cancer early, when it is easiest to treat. At least half of all new cancer cases are cancer types that can be prevented or detected earlier by screening.

Not sure which cancer screenings are right for you? Depending on your age, sex, and cancer risk, your screening recommendations will vary. The American Cancer Society can give you a quick overview of recommended tests through a simple health check at cancer.org/GreatAmericans. Easy to use and confidential, this interactive tool allows you to enter your age, gender, height, weight, dietary habits, physical activity levels, and alcohol and tobacco use for yourself or a loved one. The tool then provides recommendations for screenings, diet, physical activity, and tobacco cessation to help lower your risk for certain cancers, and a health action plan that you can share with your doctor.

A new year is an opportunity for a fresh start. Make this the year you think differently about your New Year’s resolutions – and finally stick with them.

Information provided by the American Cancer Society.

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