The nbmtLINK wishes you a happy and healthy holiday season!
"Caring for Your Body"
As cancer survival rates improve and more of us live into old age, it is increasingly important to protect ourselves against developing new cancers and other chronic conditions. Although we can't change our health or treatment history, there is a lot we can do to improve our overall health and reduce our future risk of disease and chronic conditions. Research has shown, for example, that what we eat can actually influence how certain genes are expressed and thus affect our cancer risk. Our level of activity can affect our weight and hormone levels, which impacts the risk of developing certain conditions. Even small changes in our day-to-day activities can lead to improvements in our overall health and well-being.
One of the main recommendations for reducing our risk for cancer is to maintain a healthy weight. Body fat, particularly fat around the waist, is associated with the development of various cancers, including post-menopausal breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial, kidney, and pancreatic cancers.The most effective way to maintain a healthy weight is through an integrated approach that combines healthy eating with regular exercise. In addition to reducing our future cancer risk, a healthy diet and regular physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis (weakening of the bones). A healthy diet and regular exercise are also associated with improved overall vigor and mood, reduced stress levels, and a more resilient body.
The key recommendations of the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) are to:
- Choose mostly plant foods (fruits, vegetables, and beans) and limit red meat.
- Eat whole grains rather than refined grains, and limit processed foods.
- Be physically active in some way every day for 30 minutes or more.
- Aim to maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
"Healthy Eating"
Depending on how well you know yourself and your relationship to food, you might want to make a big change in your eating habits all at once, or introduce change slowly, picking one or two items from the list below. Getting all the nutrients you need requires choosing a variety of foods. If you suffer from GVHD or have other conditions that make it difficult for you to digest properly, maintain a healthy mineral balance, or consume a well-balanced diet, it is recommended that you consult with a dietitian. Think creatively about your food choices, introduce more healthy foods into your diet, and enjoy new tastes and flavors.
This excerpt from the Survivorship Guide should not be a substitute for medical advice. Please consult with your physician regarding your medical decisions and treatment.
To read more, click here. If you are interested in ordering a copy of the Survivorship Guide, please use our online form or call 800-546-5268. |
It's Not Too Late to Make Your Year-End Tax Deductible Contribution!
When you are making your year-end tax-deductible contribution to the nbmtLINK, please consider a tribute gift to honor a loved one or recognize a special event -- a special birthday or transplant anniversary. A personalized acknowledgment will be sent to the individual or family specified by you. To make your tax-deductible gift online, please click here.
For the nbmtLINK's 2012 Year-End News Update, please click here.
For the 2012 Annual Appeal letter, please click here. |
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Keep Up To Date on nbmtLINK Programs & Publications!
Please keep your staff and patients and families informed about nbmtLINK's programs and latest publications by distributing copies of our agency brochure. Please click here for a copy of the brochure or contact Cindy Goldman at cindygoldman@nbmtlink.org if you need further information. |
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Are you an adult who has had an allogeneic transplant, or are you the caregiver of someone who has undergone this treatment?
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are preparing to develop resources to help adult allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients and their caregivers. Their goal is to make post-transplant recovery easier and less stressful, and to help people get back to normal after transplant. They have developed a brief survey that asks transplant recipients and caregivers to provide feedback on the biggest challenges to having a healthy recovery after hospital discharge. They also want to know what kinds of resources would make recovery easier and less stressful. If you would be willing to provide feedback on these issues, please click on the link below. It will take you to the survey, which will take 10-15 minutes to complete. Your responses will be completely anonymous. If you have any questions, please contact Christine Rini at 919-843-6580 or christine.rini@unc.edu.
Go to Your Anonymous Survey Link here.
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Join our List of Distinguished LINK Partners who Generously Support the Work of the nbmtLINK!
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute · City of Hope · Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center · Duke Medicine Adult Bone Marrow & Stem Cell Transplant Program · Fred Hutchinson Transplant Program at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance · Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin · Henry Ford Transplant Institute · Loyola University Medical Center · Mayo Clinic Cancer Center · Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center · The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Northside Hospital · Oregon Health & Science University · Blood & Marrow Transplant Program, Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University & Hospitals, Kimmel Cancer Center· University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center · University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center · University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview · The University of Nebraska Medical Center and The Nebraska Medical Center · Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center · American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation · Be the Match · The General Motors Foundation · The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society · Meredith A. Cowden Foundation · Roswell Park Cancer Institute
For additional information about becoming a LINK Partner, please contact Myra Jacobs at 800-546-5268 or myrajacobs@nbmtlink.org. |
