Don’t Fry Day 2012

Friday, May 25, 2012 is Don’t Fry Day.  As you prepare to be active outdoors this summer, remember to go beyond sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.

Skin cancer is on the rise in the U.S.
	There are more than 3.5 million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed annually, which is more than new cases of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined.
	Melanoma (the most serious form of skin cancer) incidence rates have been increasing for at least 30 years. Since 2004, incidence rates among whites have been increasing by almost 3% per year in both men and women.
	The American Cancer Society estimates that 76,250 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in 2012 in the U.S. and 9,180 people will die from the disease.
	Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
While generous sunscreen usage (broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher) is an important way to protect yourself, there are additional sun safety measures that can help prevent skin cancer:
	Seek the shade when you can.  Use umbrellas or other shade structures when outdoors.
	Wear sun-protective clothing, such as a long-sleeve shirt, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
	Remember that the sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and that may not be the hottest part of the day.
	Do not intentionally tan or burn.  Do not use tanning beds.

 

Visit the American Cancer Society or the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention for more information and tips to protect yourself from skin cancer.

 

Journey Together: Cancer Survivorship Conference 2012

Cancer Survivors and Caregivers are invited to…

Journey Together: Cancer Survivorship Conference 2012

The Hawai‘i’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition’s Journey Together is a cancer survivorship conference that focuses on issues important to cancer survivors and their caregivers. A variety of speakers will share their expertise on topics such as physical activity, nutrition, genetics, long-term effects, fear of recurrence, sexuality, finance issues, research & ethics, social support, spirituality, caregiving, breast, lung, colorectal and prostate cancer, acupuncture and complementary and alternative therapy. Attendees can meet, support, and share hope with others like themselves, as well as learn about services offered by various cancer organizations.

Keynote Speaker: Carolyn Gotay, PhD

Cancer Prevention in Cancer Survivors
Due to advances in cancer screening and treatment, increasing numbers of individuals are living well beyond their cancer diagnosis and treatment.  This good news is coupled with some cautions: cancer survivors are at risk of developing recurrence, new primary cancers, and chronic diseases, due to the same factors that led to their first cancers, impacts of cancer therapies, and simply, the process of growing older. This presentation will provide a snapshot of what we know now about what cancer survivors can do to reduce their risks and attain a healthy life after cancer.

 About Carolyn:
Carolyn Gotay, PhD is Professor and Canadian Cancer Society Chair in Cancer Primary Prevention at the University of British Columbia (BC), and she also holds an appointment at the BC Cancer Agency. A psychologist, Dr. Gotay has had a long career in cancer control and quality of life research, including 16 years at the University of Hawaii Cancer Centre, where she was director of the Prevention & Control Program and also chaired the Hawaii Comprehensive Cancer Coalition.  Dr. Gotay is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and was named “Professor of Survivorship” by Komen for the Cure.  Last year, she was the first woman awarded the “President’s Award,” the highest honor of the International Society of Quality of Life Research.

 

Journey Together:  Cancer Survivorship Conference

When:	Saturday, June 23, 2012
Time:	Registration 8 am – 9 am, Conference 9 am – 3 pm
Place:	Hilton Hawaiian Village, Mid-Pacific Conference Center
Registration Fee*:	$25 will include continental breakfast, lunch, and fully validated parking.  *Scholarships for Neighbor Island travel and fee are available.

Online Registration:             https://www.uhbooks.hawaii.edu/conference/hcccc2012.asp
Journey Together  Cancer Survivorship Conference 2012:     Conference Invitation (2012) 

Or Contact:
Amy Nye
UH Conference Center
1951 East-West Road, #102
Honolulu, HI 96822
Email: anye@hawaii.edu
Phone: 808.956.8204
Fax: 808.956.4372

Choose Play This May to Help Prevent Cancer

Remember the spontaneity and freedom of recess? The joy of taking a break to run around aimlessly, hang on monkey bars, or jump rope with friends? This May, the American Cancer Society is calling on women everywhere to relive that joy by choosing play and increasing the time they spend being active. The decision won’t just bring more fun to your daily routine – it can help you stay well, too.

Regular physical activity is essential for a lifetime of good health and reducing cancer risk. And there’s no rule that says only kids can enjoy it. Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore – it can be as fun as you make it. Every day offers the chance to get active and choose play. You can:

• Walk, dance, ride a bike, roller skate, or take up yoga
• Jump rope, swim, or golf
• Try volleyball, softball, baseball, badminton, tennis, or racquetball
• Join friends for a game of tag, hop-scotch, kickball, dodge ball, or Frisbee
• Play with your kids, take them on a hike, or to nearby parks, trails, and waters

“We know that being active is an essential element of maintaining a healthy weight and helping to reduce your cancer risk, but sometimes getting motivated to go to the gym every day – even every three days – is a lot easier said than done,” says Kimberly Wright, director, mission solutions with the American Cancer Society. “We all need a little push to get into our workout and one of the easiest ways to meet this goal is by doing something that feels less like working out and more like fun.” 

A lack of physical activity can take a toll on our happiness, productivity, and health. That’s why the American Cancer Society is issuing a challenge to women everywhere: Choose play in May and help us log 100,000 acts of physical activity by the month’s end.

This challenge is part of the Society’s national Choose You® movement, which inspires women everywhere to live well today – so they can stay well tomorrow. We know that 1 in 3 women will get cancer in her lifetime. Yet the good news is that a substantial number of those cases could be prevented if people maintained a healthy weight, lived a physically active lifestyle and ate a healthy diet; avoided tobacco products; and got recommended cancer screening tests. The Choose You movement is designed to take the cause of cancer prevention to a new level, one that empowers women to join in making their own health a priority, and supports them with simple tools and practical tips to live a healthier life.

“It’s essential to find an activity you like,” says Wright. “There are so many options. If you’re not the gym type, walk around your neighborhood or try activities around the house, such as walking up and down stairs or ‘dancing with the stars’ in your living room. If you’re motivated by being social, join a team. The important thing is you’re moving.”

This month is a great time to get moving by choosing play – and to join the Choose You movement to help you achieve your personal health goals. Make a commitment to your health today and help us reach our goal of 100,000 acts of physical activity by visiting ChooseYou.com or calling 1-800-227-2345. The American Cancer Society has the tips and tools you need to live a healthier life.