Cancer Prevention and Health Promotion Coalition

Spring is a great time to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, such as going for a walk during your lunch break. An active lifestyle helps to reduce your risk of both colon and breast cancer. CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, the equivalent of 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Remember that you can divide your activity up into multiple shorter sessions throughout the day.

Eating healthy foods also reduces your risk of cancer. Farmer’s markets are a great way to buy fresh local produce and may offer you the chance to experiment with new healthy and tasty foods. It is best to eat more fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans and lean protein and to avoid processed meat and foods.

Because you may find yourself spending more time outside, it is important to protect your skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. While exposure to sunlight can increase vitamin D levels, too much sun can increase your risk of skin cancers, including melanoma. Follow these steps to protect yourself:

Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection. Apply every two hours, even on cloudy or cooler days.
Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses, and seek shade while outside.
Avoid indoor tanning devices- there are many lotion and spray tan alternatives.
Watch for any changes on your skin- new growths, sores, or changes in a mole. Talk to your doctor about any concerns.
Signs of melanoma include asymmetrical moles or spots, jagged borders, uneven color, spots larger than the size of a pea, or any recent changes to an existing mole or spot.

FAQs

General Information

The American Institute for Cancer Research, American Cancer Society, NYS Department of Health / Cancer and the World Health Organization are all great places to start.

Medicaid / Insurance Information

The Nassau Suffolk Hospital Council, Inc. – Facilitated Enrollment Program can help you out. www.nshc.org Click on Facilitated Enrollment located on the left hand side of the page. You will find a list of times and places that you can go to meet with an enrollment facilitator who will help you apply. There is also a list of the basic documents you will need to start the application process and a phone number in case you have additional questions.

Sun Safety

The Environmental Protection Agency , Sun Safety Alliance and the Long Island Based Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign all provide good information on Sun Safety.

Tobacco Control and Cessation

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services offers free programs to help smokers quit. Classes as well as medication are available at sites throughout the County.

Find out about programs available to all schools in Suffolk County. Learn about local and New York State laws that prevent the sale of tobacco to those underage, protect all residents from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and how to make a complaint at: Health Education.

Visit the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at: www.cdc.gov/tobacco

The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids offers fact sheets that show the toll of tobacco use on health and budgets by state. Also find information about the Master Settlement Agreement and tobacco industry bad acts at: www.tobaccofreekids.org

A The New York State Quitline offers counseling and limited amounts of over-the-counter quit smoking aids. Call them at 1-866-697-8487 or visit them at: www.nysmokefree.com

There are no laws that prevent people from smoking in their own homes. However, the Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island is a great local resource and has information for landlords and tenants about the benefits of smoke-free buildings. Visit TAC at: www.breathefreely.org

Or, visit the New York State site at: www.smokefreehousingny.org

Information for Children

The Children’s Environmental Health Network, Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, Center for Children’s Health and the Environment and Healthy Schools Network all provide valid information.

Special Interest Group

Yes, please visit www.cancer-network.org

Physical Activity

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

See the guides and get more information at:

www.health.gov/PAguidelines

The National Institute on Aging has put together a guide on physical activity for older Americans.

www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/Exercise.htm

For a fun way to track your activity, try AARP’s Get Fit on Route 66. You can measure your progress while on a virtual journey along the famous highway:

http://aarp.getfitonroute66.com/default.aspx

Household Cleaning Products

Check out Better Home Basics by Annie Berthold-Bond or visit her website at

http://www.anniebbond.com

Personal Care Products

Visit www.safecosmetics.org for a comprehensive list of many beauty products, the ingredients they contain that might be harmful and the safer alternative products you can use.

Natural products still can contain toxins. Look for products consisting mostly of organic plant-based (botanical) ingredients. Visit www.cosmeticsdatabase.org for a list of safe cosmetic and grooming products.