TED Talks

Let’s talk about TED Talks! These short lectures are a fantastic way to get an inside look at an issue without having to commit a large amount of time to it. TED Talks can be given by anyone: from an expert in the field to someone who has lived through a specific experience. It isn’t surprising that there has been a great number of these presentations on the subject of cancer, especially given its prevalence and how much research is going on in the race to find a cure. This link provides access to 10 TED talks about cancer that you might find interesting listen to. Here’s a quick summary of each of them listed in case you want to find the ones that appeal to your interests:

http://blog.ted.com/1-talks-to-help-you-better-understand-cancer/

1. A different approach for cancer researchers: focus on the context the cancer cells are in, not just the cells themselves.

2. Assessing the genetic profile of cancer cells to target diagnoses and treatment plans.

3. A sixteen-year old researcher discusses his invention of a cheap, efficient diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer

4. A discussion of “proteomics:” the form and function of proteins in the body and how this can impact future research

5. A look at how to increase the body’s cancer-fighting potential through the foods that we eat.

6. Encouraging data and information sharing among researchers in order to improve the outcomes of the research and find a cure.

7. A new treatment for cancer besides surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy: electric fields. This method may improve quality of life during treatment.

8. Learn about a contagious cancer that is wiping out the Tasmanian Devil in Australia, and why it’s important to study it.

9. A look into a future where we might be able to use cancer as therapy to repair damaged cells in the body.

10. Discover a non-invasive approach to cancer surgery using ultrasound.

Young Survival Coalition - Address Unique Issues Breast Cancer Survivors Face

Every year, the Young Survival Coalition plans a summit that includes inspirational speakers, workshops that address unique issues that young breast cancer survivors face, and opportunities to connect with fellow survivors. This year it took place in March 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th. One of the topics that was discussed is the experience that the loved one of a cancer survivor goes through. This is one of the lesser talked about subjects: understandably because a lot of attention is focused on treating cancer and managing side effects of those who have cancer. This individuals have come to be known as “co-survivors” who can also experience effects from a cancer diagnosis even though it isn’t their own.

Below is a link to an interesting article written by Pablo Colon who is a Young Survival Coalition board member and went through the experience of his girlfriend being diagnosed with cancer. He discusses some of the hardest aspects from the perspective of a co-survivor. He also discusses resources that he used to help support himself and some resources that he wished he had. He speaks about their experiences together since and some advice that he has for other co-survivors. This might be a relatable article if you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer, or if you are diagnosed with cancer yourself and know that it affects your loved one. Check it out below for a great resource!

https://www.youngsurvival.org/blog/blog/co-survivor/so-your-girlfriends-got-cancer

Are You Getting the Sleep You Need?

We all need sleep! A good nights sleep makes us feel recharged and ready for our next day activities. Research has show that sleep deprivation leads to chronic health issues.  So how do we reach and get that ultimate good night sleep? By setting up a Sleep Hygiene program. So what is a "Sleep Hygiene" program you ask, and why is it important? Just as you have a teeth brushing routine to have healthy gums and good healthy teeth. A good night sleep is just as important. The National Sleep Foundation has recommended us all to set up a Sleep Hygiene program.

1. Set up a consistent time each night that you get in bed and shut off your lights
2. Set up a routine that you will follow consistently even when you are traveling it is even more important.
3. Get at least 30 minutes a day of daily exercise but not to close to bedtime, at least 2 hours before.
4. Try not to eat heavy foods or drink wine, coffee or chocolate close to bedtime. Sometimes wine will rebound you and wake you up after a couple of hours. Chocolate and caffeine are stimulates.
5. Power down electronics at least 1-2 hours before bedtime. That includes not having your mobile phone next to your bed. 
6. Keep bedroom at a cool but comfortable temperature 65-69 F. 
7. If light keeps you awake get night shades and or wear a eye mask to block out the light. 
8. Essentials oils like lavender, frankincense and serenity applied to the bottom of your feet, back of your neck and behind your ears helps to calm one and prep you for sleep. 
9. 6 + hours more uninterrupted sleep is good. 8 hours is great! 

Nite Nite Sleep Tight!!

Detention replaced with Meditation

Meditation is starting to gain momentum as it becomes a more familiar form of stress reduction and ease of anxiety, depression, and pain. The overall theory behind it is that when you sit with your emotions and focus your energy on yourself, you are able to combat stress and improve attention. You are then able to make healthy decisions about what to do with your anger or stress, rather than simply acting on it impulsively. Meditation on an individual basis is gaining popularity, but the movement as a whole has not necessarily reached the masses. So how can this principle be applied systemically?

Robert W. Coleman Elementary School in Baltimore, MD has put meditation into practice, and replaced detention rooms with meditation rooms. Consider the reasons that students get sent to detention: altercations, stress- or anger- induced outbursts, disrupting the class, being hyperactive, etc. Detention (or one step further: suspension) is used as a form of punishment to remove the student from the environment and hope that they “think about what they’ve done” and come back a better student. Yet this does not necessarily address the problems that cause the actions, and is not conducive to the student changing their behavior. That is where meditation steps in. Students that are sent to the “Mindful Moment Room” at Coleman Elementary School engage in deep breathing, stretching, and yoga, and build their ability to be mindful and calm. They are then sent back to the classroom feeling better and ready to contribute positively to the classroom experience by being peaceful and doing their work. Sound skeptical? Well, since the implementation of the program, the school has had zero suspensions, and the principal rarely sees children for disciplinary reasons anymore.

This program has the potential to set a precedent for other schools to follow and hopefully change the school system in a positive way. A high school in the Baltimore area has already followed suit and created a room for students to do yoga and decompress after the day. The full article is available on CNN here: http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/04/health/meditation-in-schools-baltimore/http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/04/health/meditation-in-schools-baltimore/

STRETCHING

Stretching: an often ignored, yet important component of exercise and healthy living. Whether you are an avid runner, a yogie, a lifter, or someone who likes to exercise in a class or individual setting, stretching is an key part of helping you reach your fitness goals and stay injury-free. However, many people neglect to stretch before or after exercise, primarily because it “takes up too much time” and is an under-emphasized component of exercise. Skipping over this step could cause someone to miss out on the benefits that it brings. Engaging in stretching before an exercise helps warm the muscles up and make motions feel looser and smoother. After exercise, it prevents muscles from tensing up and helps to prevent soreness. For those who have experienced cancer and treatment, stretching can be an important component of recovery after radiation and chemotherapy treatments. It can help to restore range of motion after surgery or a period of being sedentary, and increase circulation.

Carol J. Michaels, author of “Exercises for Cancer Survivors” put out an article highlighting 12 tips on how to stretch effectively. Some of these tips include holding the stretch until you feel tension, but not pain. Muscles in the body are wired to contract when they feel pain, which will prevent a good stretch. Also, stretching daily will help you see the most improvement. She notes that some of the benefits of stretching include improved posture, movement of lymph throughout the body, reduction of stress, and overall improvement of well-being. You can check out the article for more details and more posts by Carol Michaels here: https://anticancerclub.com/healthy-mind-and-body/12-tips-on-how-stretching-benefits-cancer-recovery-by-carol-j-michaels-award-winning-personal-trainer/

The Pillar Program

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you are unfortunately likely familiar with the concept of pain, depression, and fatigue during treatment and even after treatment. Options to help with these symptoms may become costly or time-consuming. That is where a new online program called “Reimagine” comes into play. Developed by researchers at Duke University, Reimagine is an online, free program that has been proven to reduce fatigue and depression in breast cancer survivors. The “Pillar Program,” as it is called on their website, focuses on teaching two major skillsets: solution-focused thinking and cognitive reframing. What that boils down to is using a step-wise program to teach patients or survivors to identify their needs and how they can control getting those needs met, as well as thinking about different ways to approach problems in life. This online program also features mind-body exercises including meditation and guided imagery. The women involved in the study on this program reported a greater reduction in depression and fatigue compared to the usual standard of care for these symptoms. A line from the website for Reimagine reads “Just as you can train your body to get physically stronger, you can train your mind to get mentally stronger and to respond to stressors in ways that allow you to feel calm, clear and in control — no matter what life throws at you.” While cancer is a physical condition, it often has psychological affects that can go unaddressed during treatment. This program fills that need in an affordable (free!), convenient (online!) and comprehensive fashion. Check out the program using the link below!

http://www.thepillarprogram.com/