Living Healthy

>You're Never Too OLD to get Healthy
>You're Also Never Too YOUNG to get Healthy
>Do's and Don'ts of Dining Out

You're Never Too OLD to Get Healthy

When it comes to staying healthy, there is much to be said for the notion that you're only as young as you feel.

"Age is not so much a chronological event as it is a physiological event," says Lodovico Balducci, M.D, leader of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute's Senior Adult Oncology Program in Tampa, FL. An internationally recognized expert in his field, Dr. Balducci has done much to dispel the myth that patients over 70 are too old to benefit from cancer prevention or too frail to withstand the rigors of aggressive treatment.

Cancer is the leading cause of death for Americans up to age 85. About 50 percent of cancers occur in people 65 and older, and the risk of conditions such as breast, colon, prostate and skin cancer increases with age. With Americans living longer (and otherwise healthier) lives, proper care for cancer can make a significant difference in the quality of life during those later years. Prevention and early detection can improve the chances of successful treatment and reduce the need for risky emergency surgeries.

One of the most effective ways of avoiding illness is to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and the avoidance of smoking or excessive use of alcohol early in life. These measures are important for older Americans as well, but regular screening and detection procedures—even for people with no symptoms—may be more practical, especially for those who find old, unhealthy habits difficult to break.

Studies have shown that a mammogram at least every two years for women over 50 can reduce the risk of breast cancer-related death. Regular fecal examinations and a full colonoscopy every 10 years are important for men and women. They also should see a primary care physician or a dermatologist once a year for a full body skin examination.

Pay close attention to any dramatic bodily changes, and don't assume that fatigue, shortness of breath, excessive constipation, difficulty in urinating, or bone pain are merely byproducts of the aging process. A new wart, a persistent cough—these may be signs of a more serious condition than chronological age.

In the past, many Americans thought they were too old to benefit from cancer prevention once they reached their 70s or 80s. Others feared the side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy. Even doctors were reluctant to treat older patients for cancer for these same reasons.

The latest research suggests that patients ought not to be judged by the number of years they have lived, but by a list of factors including functionality, presence of other diseases, support networks and ability to live independently. Cancer treatment, says Dr. Balducci, is very effective for older patients, as long as they are "properly selected and properly protected."

By properly selected, he means weighing factors such as how long patients can be expected to live or how able they are to tolerate various forms of treatment. By properly protected, he means guarding against potential side effects of treatment. Older patients, for instance, are more susceptible to infections associated with chemotherapy. But cancer specialists have achieved success with medications that minimize the risk of infection.           

The geriatric oncology program at Moffitt Cancer Center applies an interdisciplinary team approach to cancer treatment. Each patient sees a physician, a nurse practitioner, a dietician, a social worker and a pharmacist. Together, the team decides what is best for the patient. Follow-up is an important part of the treatment.

 "As we learn more about the aging process and the benefits of cancer screening and treatment," says Balducci, "new and improved approaches of care for older Americans are being developed. There is no 'one size fits all' recipe for success, but one thing is clear. The risk of cancer may increase with age, but aging itself is not a disease."

Article courtesy of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. For more information on cancer care, research and prevention, please visit www.MoffittCancerCenter.org or call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488) or 1-800-456-7121.

You're Also Never Too YOUNG to Get Healthy

Children who grow up with healthy habits stand a much better chance of becoming healthier adults. Adults can help their children establish a healthy lifestyle by setting good examples for their children and teens and following some simple advice, according to Lynne Hildreth, executive director of Moffitt Cancer Center's Lifetime Cancer Screening and Prevention Center.

• Don't use any tobacco products
• Avoid second-hand smoke
• Protect your family's skin from the sun:
  • Wear SPF 15 or higher
  • Wear a hat that covers the ears and protects the nose
  • Wear clothes that are dark colored and tightly woven
• Stay active, eat fruits and vegetables, avoid processed (high fat, high sugar) foods, and maintain a healthy weight
• Help prevent children from becoming overweight by:
  • Limiting non-physical activities such as TV or video games
  • Stocking up on fruits, yogurt and other healthy snacks instead of junk food
  • Rewarding good behavior with a special privilege or activity, not sweets
  • Eliminating the "you-must-clean-your-plate" philosophy
• Avoid or limit alcoholic beverages—and educate children on the dangers of alcohol abuse
• Have regular physical check-ups, including cancer screenings beginning by age 18. However, two important cancer screenings should begin sooner than age 18:
  • Young men should be informed about the importance of performing testicular self exam starting at age 15
• Women younger than age 18 who are sexually active should have regular Pap tests

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Do's and Don'ts of Dining Out

According to the National Restaurant Association, we spend more than 45 percent of our food dollars while dining out. Since they account for such a large percentage of what we spend on eating, we should spend these dollars wisely, which also means making healthy choices.

The following Do's and Don'ts can help you make the best choices the next time you visit your favorite restaurant.

DO avoid all-you-can eat or buffet-style restaurants. Look instead for places that offer a variety of foods that can be prepared to your specifications.

DO opt for restaurants that offer nutritional information on the menu.

DO plan ahead. Decide ahead of time what you'll order—perhaps a salad or grilled chicken. Then, you'll be less tempted to be swayed by what others order.

DON'T overeat. Ask for a to-go container and take half of your meal home.

DON'T be afraid to ask your server how food is prepared or for substitutions. Try to avoid items that include the words fried, basted, crispy or stuffed. These tend to be higher in fat and cholesterol. Instead, opt for steamed or grilled options.

DON'T order appetizers or soups that may pack the fat and cholesterol into your meal. Opt for water while you wait for your entrée, and if you like wine, have a glass with your main dish.

You can find out more about healthy nutrition on the AAA Prescription Savings website located at aaa.com/prescriptions. In addition to information about saving money on your prescription medications, the site offers tools like a Daily Food Diary, Body Fat Calculator and much more. You can also access fun quizzes that test your nutrition IQ.

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