Walking, weight
reduction help reduce
cancer risk
Studies show that exercise redu- least 14 other types of cancer.
ces cancer risks and improves
Walk with a buddy or family
breast cancer survival. One of the
member. This will make exercising
easiest ways to increase physi-
more fun and interesting, and you
cal activity is walking. It’s as easy
can motivate each other to keep
as putting one step in front of the
moving! Web sites are another
other. Walking also helps weight
good resource for starting a wal-
control, which helps reduce cancer
king routine, tracking progress,
risks. Developing a sensible, healt-
and sharing experiences. On Wal-
hy eating plan and exercising 30
kytalk.com, Blue Cross Blue Shield
to 60 minutes a day can help with
of Michigan’s online community for
weight loss and reduce the risk of
walking enthusiasts, Jodi Davis, the
developing cancer.
Blues’ health and fitness advocate,
To lower the risk for developing motivates and gives tips on her
RETIRED DETROIT LION Freddie Scott is a Man Up! Let’s Talk Health! Campaign spokesperson, as well as a prostate cancer
cancer: blog about walking, weight loss
survivor.
· Be physically active. Physical
and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
activity during the teen years and
Jodi lost 162 pounds eight years
young adulthood pay off in the
ago and has maintained a healthy
Groups team up for prostate cancer
long run by reducing a woman’s
body weight through diet and exer-
risk of early breast cancer.
cise. She provides practical advice
troit, chairperson of the Health and Well- Prostate cancer accounted for 37 per-
to readers and a forum to discuss
stands ness Committee. cent of all African American male cancer
exercise ideas, nutrition, and tips
A
real man knows more than sports
and cars. A real man under
that other people depend on him
Members of 100 Black Men will visit
cases in 2007, according to the American
for staying motivated and focused.
to be around, so disease prevention and
There are schedules of walking
barbershops, community centers, church
Cancer Society. 100 Black Men of Grea-
good health are important. Real men
events, downloadable music se-
basements and other sites where men
ter Detroit are out to change that statis-
take care of themselves and get prostate
lections to make walking more fun
can feel at ease obtaining information and tic and reduce the death rate caused by
cancer screenings if needed.
and healthy recipes.
discussing prostate and overall health the disease. Helping get out the word on
Prostate related health issues are issues. They will hand out informational prostate cancer screening also impacts
Walkingworks.com, a Blue
almost 60 percent higher for African Ame- brochures and encourage men to actively death rates of other diseases for African
Cross Blue Shield Association
rican men and they are 2.4 times more participate in improving their health throu- American men, such as diabetes and
program, suggests ways to measu-
likely to die from the disease. Some of the
gh education, health screening, better nu-
heart disease.
re a walking plan, gives basic wal-
rate is because of lack of knowledge and
trition, and more physical activity.
king guidelines and tips for easy
A recent radiothon raised awareness
education about the seriousness of pros-
ways to add steps to your day.
Men will be asked to take a pledge to
about healthy living, prostate health and
tate cancer and the need for screening.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
commit to living a healthier lifestyle, see
encouraged men to pledge to take care
supports many community health
In the upcoming weeks and months,
a primary care physician for a complete
of their health.
initiatives with walking resources
men in southeast Michigan, especially
health exam and encourage other family
such as the WalkingWorks prog-
African American men, can get informa-
members to take care of their health.
The Man Up! Let’s Talk Health cam-
tion about prostate health and cancer at
Men can sign the pledge and take a four
paign kicks off in September as part of
· Maintain a healthy weight. Phy-
ram. “We use WalkingWorks to set
their community hangouts. The Man Up!
question prostate survey on the 100 Black
National Prostate Health Month. Forums
sically active women can reduce
up walking clubs in schools and
Let’s Talk Health campaign is sponsored
Men Web site, 100blackmendetroit.org.
and outreaches will continue throughout
their risk of breast cancer by 25
neighborhood associations, help
by 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc.,
The site also has downloadable brochu-
the end of the year. At the end of this year,
percent according to The British
design worksite wellness prog-
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and
res to distribute to friends and family.
a rally and breakfast will be held to sup-
Journal of Sports Medicine. Both
rams, and as a base for physical
the American Cancer Society.
moderate and intense activity has
activity programs in partnership The campaign will provide 100 men
port a prostate cancer walk scheduled for
equal benefits in reducing breast
with other nonprofit organizations,
“Blue Cross routinely partners with
a voucher to offset the cost of a health
next September on Belle Isle and other
cancer risk.
all as part of our commitment to
outside organizations to build and streng-
screening if they complete the survey and
activities scheduled for next year.
improve the health of Michigan
then relationships in various communities
participate in an exam with a primary care
To find sources for obtaining reduced-
· Cut down on bad fats (satura-
residents,” said Lloyd L. Banks, III,
in an effort to improve and sustain a he-
physician.
cost or free prostate cancer screenings
ted and trans fats) and eat more
BCBSM manager of Community
althier Michigan,” said William L. Toples, Anyone who does not have access to in the area, visit the American Urological
good fats (polyunsaturated and
Responsibility.
BCBSM director of community responsi- a computer can call 866-560-8865 to re- Association Foundation Web site @ uro-
monounsaturated fats, like olive oil
and canola oil).
Eat healthy. People who eat a
bility and 100 Black Men of Greater De- ceive a copy of the pledge and survey. logyhealth.org.
healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables
· Take a daily multivitamin with
and whole grains have less chance
folic acid (sometimes called folate
of contracting some cancers, the
on nutrition labels).
Too
evidence shows. The American

yo

ung
Karen Love Cornelius A. Fortune
COO, Michigan Chronicle/ Project Coordinator
· If you drink alcohol, limit your
Cancer Society suggest you focus
intake to less than one alcoholic
on getting at least five daily ser-
drink a day.
vings of a variety of fruits and vege-
toface it:
Publisher, Michigan FrontPage

tables and on eating whole grains. Raymond Allen
· Don’t smoke. Smoking causes
For protein, choose fish, poultry or
Fighting cancer under 40
Steve Holsey
87 percent of lung cancer deaths
Design Director
beans rather than red and proces-
Copy Editor
and also increases your risk for at
sed meats. Eat smaller portions.
Special Supplement
Too young for Cancer • September/October 2009 | 11
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