Run, Julie, Run - Wildebeests

The wildebeests of Tanzania and Kenya embark on a yearly trip of around 1800 miles - the great migration. Baby wildebeests are able to stand and run within minutes of birth. Wildebeests are active both day and night. Although they can reach a top speed of around 40-50 mph - hardly the fastest animals on the plains - wildebeests are best known for being relentless in their advance.

I am busy making final preparations for my race this weekend: the Potawatomi 100 Mile Run in my hometown of Pekin, IL. I'm organizing my supplies and extra gear. The training is done, this is all that's left to do. I don't know if my training has been adequate. I've trained seriously, but I never know if it's enough. I'll find out on Saturday into Sunday.

The race begins Saturday at 6am. The cutoff for finishing is 4pm on Sunday. 34 hours. To run 100 miles.

In the last few days and weeks I have been peppered with questions about why. I don't know. I know it has something to do with cancer. It has something to do with the fact that maybe I can. But I don't really have an answer. Maybe I'll figure out the answer by the end of the race; I'll have a lot of time to think about it.

Although they can reach a top speed of around 40-50 mph - hardly the fastest animals on the plains - wildebeests are best known for being relentless in their advance.

Julie

Back To Basics - Preventing Cancer With Better Lifestyle Choices

Here we go, getting back to basics: What's so important about exercise and other lifestyle choices?

According to the American Cancer Society's "Cancer Facts & Figures 2012", lifestyle choices can have a huge affect on cancer risk. Researchers reviewed existing data and found that nearly one third of cancer deaths are caused by tobacco use. Another third is caused by obesity and lack of exercise.

Those are BIG numbers. Researchers estimate that over 577,000 people in the U.S. will die of cancer in 2012. One third of those will be attributable to smoking or other tobacco use, and one third of those will be related to excess weight and not exercising.

I feel like I need to repeat that because it's hard to believe that so many deaths will be associated with lifestyle choices - stupid choices. Deaths that are largely avoidable.

Of course, we know that not smoking and exercising does not guarantee that you won't die from cancer. Statistics don't work like that. But there is clear evidence that the choices we make affect our risk of dying from cancer.

Smoking increases men's risk of developing lung cancer by 23% compared to non-smokers. The increase in risk for women is 13%. It also increases the risk of cancers of the nasopharynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, lip, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, lung, esophagus, pancreas, uterine cervix, ovaries (mucinous), kidney, bladder, stomach, colorectum, and acute myeloid leukemia.

Don't smoke!

Numerous studies have now shown that obesity and excess weight are strongly associated with an increased risk of developing several cancers, including breast, colon, endometrial, adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, kidney, and pancreatic. Excess weight may also be associated with liver, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, cervical, ovarian, and aggressive prostate cancers.

Achieve and maintain a healthy weight!

The report also finds that a physically active lifestyle reduces the risk of breast, colon, endometrial, and advanced prostate cancers. Risk of obesity-related cancers is also affected by physical activity because of the role it plays in losing and maintaining a healthy weight.

Move more!


Recommendations are to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week for adults. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of moderate to vigorous activity every day. Limit sedentary activity.

Move more!


Also, choosing to limit sun exposure and not use tanning beds helps prevent certain types of skin cancer.

Don't use tanning beds! Limit sun exposure!


You don't have to be perfect on any of these points (except maybe smoking - there really is no excuse!). You just have to commit to trying to make better choices more often than not. Make a habit of choosing health.

These are simple lifestyle choices that can reduce your risk of developing certain cancers. Avoiding cancer is the very best way to survive it.

Those of us who have had cancer know how tough it is. We don't want to go through it again. Those of you who haven't had cancer want to keep it that way. Presumably if you've found this blog, you have someone close to you who has had cancer. You have a pretty good idea of just how much you should want to avoid it yourself.

There are so many risk factors for disease that we have no control over. But some risks for cancer are very much in our control. Don't smoke, move more, wear sunscreen, eat well....Encourage your friends and family to do the same.

Julie

What Comes Out Of The Dark

I've been a bit preoccupied lately, so haven't written in over a week. I've been crazed by preparing for my latest challenge - running a 100 mile trail race next week. And I was writing a lot, just not for this blog. I was working on a narrative piece as part of a writing workshop through  Above & Beyond Cancer. Last week I had a chance to spend a few days with my A+BC friends in Des Moines, Iowa for a reading of that piece at Drake University. Plus, throw in some rehearsals and concerts, and I was quite wrapped up in the cocoon of my life.

But today I was shaken out of my insular world by some very sad news about a friend. She is a relative newcomer to my life, but in a short time, she took up residence in a very dear part of my heart. And her cancer has come back, and spread.

I was crushed by the news, heartbroken. I was saddened beyond words.

And I had that familiar feeling of betrayal and anger. Some of you have heard this story before....In my darkest moments during treatment - for me, it was midway through radiation - when I doubted my strength to continue, I made a deal. Not for me - that horse was already out of the barn. I already had cancer, had surgery, was having treatment - no point in bargaining for my life....it was whatever it would be. I bargained for all the other people who had never had cancer. I agreed to persevere through all of my treatments - any that were offered - if no one else ever had to go through it. I didn't want anyone else to ever have to tell their child, or parent, or lover that they had cancer; to see the look in their eyes; to hear the sadness in their voice as they tried desperately to sound comforting. I didn't want anyone else to ever feel all strength drain from their legs as they walk to the doctor's office; to smell the fear in the infusion suite each time they go for chemotherapy; to know the feel of burning flesh. I bargained with the universe that no one would have to know any of those things again.

And it didn't work.

Of course, none of us can bargain away someone else's suffering. But I had meant it. For many years, every time I heard about someone's diagnosis or recurrence, I would get so angry. I took it personally - I had made a deal and acted in good faith. I would spiral into darkness.

But this time, I am not content to sit in the dark - and have no doubt, this is a very dark night, despite the full moon. This time, I am filled with determination. Making some desperate bargain with the universe is not the answer, but doing whatever I can to make the world better and healthier is at least closer to an answer. As I felt after the loss earlier this year of Rachel and Susan, this is a call to action, a call to arms.

I am determined to redouble my efforts to make the world a bit better. Whenever I can, I will fill it with beauty and love. And as often as I can, and in as many venues and ways possible, I will continue to encourage people to lead healthier lives. No, this isn't the same as the end of cancer, but it's the best I can do.

And it does matter.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1/3 of all cancer deaths are attributable to smoking. And 1/3 of all cancer deaths are attributable to obesity and lack of physical activity. (American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2012. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2012. p.48) There is so much about our health that we really have no control over, but these are two things that are completely in our control.

So, rather than sit here in the dark, over the next few weeks, I'm getting back to basics - what do we know about exercise and cancer, and why does exercise matter? I'll be writing about the science, and offering practical ideas to help. This is why I started Life-Cise and write this blog - because I believe exercise can make a difference in people's lives. But, I have gotten wrapped up in my little cocoon lately....Back to basics.

Is this a magic pill? No, of course not - that pill does not exist. But it's what I can do. It's what I know. And it does matter.

So, tomorrow or today (depending on when you read this), I hope you will think about the people you care about and go for a walk...or a bike ride...or dance...or clean the house vigorously...or do jumping jacks every time there's a commercial on TV....

Better yet, take one of those people you care about with you on your walk.

Julie