Fall 2006	Breast Cancer Prevention:
Test Your Health Savvy Take this quiz to test your knowledge and learn more about staying well. Answers appear below. 1) You can increase the amount of iron you absorb from foods like meat, fish and beans by eating them with foods containing: fiber omega-3 fats vitamin C vitamin D 2) You’re more likely to develop GERD, in which stomach acid seeps into the esophagus, if you’re: older than 65 obese or overweight underweight sedentary 3) Most older adults with osteoporosis need to increase their levels of this vitamin: vitamin D vitamin C folate vitamin A 4) Which statement about diabetic retinopathy, or damaged blood vessels inside the eye’s retina, is not true? Nearly one in two people with diabetes has some stage of diabetic retinopathy. It often has no early warning signs. It’s a leading cause of blindness. You can’t control its progression once it begins. 5) A study suggests that women have a greater chance of developing breast cancer if they: eat meat eat too little fiber consume sweets gain 25 pounds or more after age 50 6) When a loved one moves into an assisted-living facility, it’s a good idea to: stay away so he or she can adapt only send cards visit regularly call occasionally 1 c, 2 b, 3 a, 4 d, 5 d, 6 c Not for women only Not long ago, women were told there wasn’t much they could do to prevent breast cancer. It appeared that genes made the disease a matter of fate. Today, we know that’s not the whole story. We also know it’s not just a woman’s disease. The American Cancer Society estimates 1,720 men and 212,920 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. For both sexes, research shows there are two powerful tools against the disease — diet and exercise. How exercise helps A Norwegian study tracked more than 25,000 women for an average of 14 years. The findings? Women who exercised at least four hours a week were 37 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than their less active counterparts. Experts believe regular physical activity helps balance hormones, which offers protection from breast cancer. If you are not currently active, start out slowly, perhaps with a 10-minute daily walk and increase gradually. Attention to diet and more … Other studies suggest that in addition to exercise, avoiding red meat, boosting your intake of vegetables and fiber, decreasing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can reduce your risk of breast cancer. Some studies also suggest switching to monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, also may help protect against breast cancer.
Fall 2006 Message from Network Director | Working Together for Your Health | Reaching for the Stars Keep Your Heart Healthy | Breast Cancer Prevention | Stay Flu-Free VA News and Updates | Wellness Programs

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