February is National Cancer Prevention Month, which was first observed in 2004. It is intended to encourage communities to educate each other on the steps you can take to prevent cancer. If you follow me on my Facebook page, Inspired Vitality of Minnesota, you may have noticed that throughout the month of February I did just that! There are four important pillars that I believe contribute to cancer prevention, so let’s start at the beginning.

Week one was about exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight. Exercise is good for all of your organ function, like lungs and heart, but it is so much more. It helps you move throughout your day by improving strength and flexibility. It may reduce the risk of cancer by helping control weight, reduce sex hormones or insulin, and strengthen the immune system. By choosing activities you enjoy you will be successful at incorporating exercise into your daily routine.

Week two (Valentine’s week) I focused on the importance of quality relationships. When you are unhappy or stressed as a result of your relationships, or lack of them, it can have an impact on your immune system. If you are lonely, or unsatisfied in the relationships you have, I suggest you seek out more people with whom to connect. You can join a group or take a class.

“Each relationship nurtures a strength or weakness within you.” ~ Mike Murdock

Week three I dove into plant based eating, and showed you just how simple it can be to put quality food into your body. There was this recipe for a
plant based “egg” salad sandwich, I gave you the ingredients for a homemade soup, and showed you a simple on-the-go snack of veggies and hummus. Nourishing your body does not have to be difficult!

The last pillar in week 4 is about alcohol, which can increase one’s risk of cancer. For more information about the link between alcohol and cancer, read this article.

Anybody that who has gone through cancer wants their loved ones to do all that they can to prevent cancer. This is because they know what the treatment is like, and thatprevention is better than the cure.