Most women know the importance of a healthy diet and regular physical activity as it relates to our physical appearance. We strive to feel stronger, look trimmer, and overall be better versions of ourselves. However, most women do not realize that a healthy diet and exercise will reduce their risk of cancer, and may even prevent it. Allow that to soak in for a minute. In so many ways women feel helpless when they face the presumed game of chance that is a cancer diagnosis, and most of us believe it's just the luck of the draw (or bad luck of the draw).
But we can help control our fate. To reduce the risk of cancer, or ideally prevent it, The American Cancer Society recommends we consume a minimum of 2 servings of fruits and 3 servings of vegetables each day. They also recommend 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least 5 days per week. It appears most women haven't received the memo.
The lifetime risk of developing cancer for women in the United States is greater than 1 in 3 - a concern many of us, men and women alike, share. However, recent reports presented in the Journal of Women’s Health indicate that less than 10 percent of women who reported that they eat a healthy diet and maintain a consistent schedule of physical activity actually met the standards set by the American Cancer Society. What’s more, over half of the women surveyed failed to meet the very minimum recommendations for physical activity and daily intake of fruits and vegetables. For many it's challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and even more difficult to make a lifestyle change, but here we see even more evidence to support the fact that choosing healthy habits will prolong the time you can spend with your grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Healthy habits mean more time to see the world, check off your bucket list and hold family and friends close. More time to LIVE. It may seem daunting to try to incorporate these standards and will certainly require some thoughtful effort, but it's worth it and we will do anything we can to encourage your decision to make healthy choices.
Our goal at Women’s Wellness Institute of Dallas is to support our patients on the path to vibrant, happy, healthy lives. Our team has a wealth of knowledge, resources and protocols to work with you to achieve these goals. If you’d like to discuss how to optimize your health, Dr. Brady and her staff can consult with you to offer the guidance to get you there. We would be honored to be your cheerleaders and a source of support to get you on the right track!