It is estimated that 20 percent of Americans will have skin cancer at some point in their lives. About 9.500 people are diagnosed with this type of cancer each day. 20% is a high number and I know my sun protection habits can use an overhaul, I’m not disciplined at reapplying sunscreen. This summer I’ll do better. 

The sun protection dermatologists recommend

Seek shade

Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow appears to be shorter than you are, seek shade.

Wear sun-protective clothing

Wear a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection, when possible. For more effective protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.

Apply sunscreen

Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing. Remember to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

Also, remember to see a General Practitioner or Dermatologist on a regular basis to check your skin for moles or other skin abnormalities. Caught early skin cancer is treatable. 

Melinda

References:

Healthline

https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/awareness-campaigns/skin-cancer-awareness-month

Alzheimer’s and Dementia are important awareness days to me because my granny had Demtania after a bad stroke and I have Dementia from Lyme disease. Losing one’s cognitive capability is difficult and can be quite frustrating. 

Worldwide, more than 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Join the Alzheimer’s Association in going purple and raising awareness this June. The more that people know about Alzheimer’s, the more action we inspire.

Explore Related Resources:

Melinda

References:

https://www.alz.org/abam/overview.asp#goPurple

https://www.dementiasociety.org/alzheimers-disease-dementia?msclkid=b276fd3d88fc130123ac9f8c79f574d8

National Osteoporosis Month is marked throughout June every year. It is a special awareness month that makes it easier for people to find out about the critical importance of good bone health and osteoporosis prevention. Did you know that hundreds of millions of people in the world suffer from osteoporosis and low bone density? In fact, approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and more than 44 million have low bone density, placing them at increased risk of osteoporosis. What exactly is osteoporosis? How can we prevent it? Is there any remedy for people suffering from the disease? Let’s get into the details.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by a brittle weakness of the bones. It is often called the silent disease because you cannot feel your bones getting weaker. In fact, you may not even know you have osteoporosis until after you break a bone.

We reach our peak bone mass between ages 25 and 30, and then, we slowly start losing bone mass at age 40. This is accelerated for women. They lose 1.5% to 2% of their bone density per year in the first 10 years after menopause, which is why women over 50 are particularly at risk of having osteoporosis. People with low body weight, and people with a family history of osteoporosis, are also at risk. However, the disease is preventable through the regular consumption of calcium and Vitamin D and treatable through physical therapy and medications.

A simple Bone Scan can determine if you have Osteoporosis, if you have a family history let your doctor know so they can test early. 

Melinda

References:

https://nationaltoday.com/national-osteoporosis-month/

This is a sketch of my Gramps playing scratch-off games, we always bought him some on holidays. He loved the anticipation of winning if only a dollar. My Gramps was my only father figure and he was the best.

No nonsense, hardworking, loyal, honest, simple, and loving.

Gramps never complained or made excuses and didn’t let you either. I remember once when I was in high school I ask him to call my employer to say I wouldn’t be in. He said it’s your job, you call. He was right, it was my responsibility and he taught me to own what was mine.

He taught me to drive by taking trash cans down to the levy bottoms and had me practice parallel parking. He was very patient as I toppled on one can after another.

He had some simple rules to live by:

If you can get out of bed, you can go to work.

If you’re going to be late, might as well not go in.

If you borrow something, give it back in better shape than you got it.

Put your family first.

My Gramps knew he was dying but refused to get in the hospital bed until two days before he died. He was so stubborn. I lost him in 2012 and my life was forever changed.

I spent the last five months of his life living with him, I’m so glad we had that time together. The good and the bad.

I know he’s proud of me today and still watches over me.

Happy Father’s Day! I love you, Gramps.

Melinda

This is an important awareness month for me because I was diagnosed with cancer at 28 years old. I was young, healthy, and had no idea what lay inside. I was very lucky and my cancer only required surgery, all the cancer was found so no chemo or radiation, for that I’m forever grateful. I’m now 58 years old and have had no relapse. 

Cancer is something we all have to think about in that it comes to us from so many angles. Be sure to bring up any changes you are going thru with your doctor no matter how insignificant you think they are. 

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, this person is considered a cancer survivor from that moment throughout the rest of his/her life.

Surviving cancer has physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial consequences that start with diagnosis and continue through treatment and beyond. It also includes issues related to follow-up treatment, side effects of treatment, the risk of getting cancer again, and your quality of life. Family members, friends, and caregivers are a critical part of the journey of the cancer survivor.

It is estimated that there will be about 1.9 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2022. This number will not include basal and squamous cell skin cancers. Cancer Survivorship As difficult as treatment is, thousands of cancer survivors have said that the experience led them to make important changes in their lives.

Cancer Survivorship Issues

Thanks to advances in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and follow-up care, more people than ever before are surviving the disease. In America alone, more than 16.9 million people are alive today after being diagnosed with cancer.

However, surviving cancer can leave a host of problems in its wake. Physical, emotional, and financial hardships often persist for years after diagnosis and treatment. Cancer survivors are also at greater risk for developing second cancers and other health conditions.

Cancer survivors may face numerous challenges during and after treatment:

• Limited access to cancer specialists and promising new treatments
• Denial of health insurance and life insurance coverage
• Difficulty finding jobs
• Economic burdens due to mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced productivity

Add to that emotional struggles, strains on personal relationships, and the profound fear of cancer recurrence. The effects of cancer don’t simply end when treatment does.

Stay in tune with your body, if something doesn’t feel right see your doctor right away. My cancer was discovered during a routine exam. If we catch cancer early enough we have a greater chance of beating it and not having to go thru extensive therapy. 

Get checked. Keep your annual appointments. 

Melinda

References:

https://www.va.gov/long-beach-health-care/stories/national-cancer-survivor-month

Cancer Survivorship Issues

June 18 is International Panic Day. Use it as an excuse to panic about everything under the sun, or take the day to evaluate your priorities and eliminate anything that causes you stress and anxiety.

It is a fact of life that as we grow older, life can get complicated. This made-up holiday is an acknowledgment that work, finances, health and relationships can all sometimes get overwhelming and that it is necessary to take a pause once in a while and relax. The holiday encourages people to find ways to reduce and manage their stress.

How to Observe?

• Take the day off and relax. It is for good reason that today is also International Picnic Day. What better way to relax and forget all your stresses than by going on a picnic?
• Go to the store and treat yourself to some aromatic candles. It has been shown that soothing music and pleasant smells can help reduce stress.
• Go for a long walk in the park and commune with nature.
• Read, get a new hobby or get involved in social activities. The more you are busy, the less time you will have to think about your stressors.
• Recruit a stress buddy – someone who can calm you and work through the futility of panicking with you. Every time you feel life is overwhelming you, call them and ask them for their help.

I think this is an observance day we can all get behind. 

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/international-panic-day

I want to share a few products I’m in love with right now. Most have been purchased off of Amazon unless otherwise stated. I hope you find a new product to add to your household or self-care routine.

Levoit Air Purifier model #Core 300

LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies Pets Hair in Bedroom, H13 True HEPA Filter, 24db Filtration System Cleaner Odor Eliminators, Ozone Free, Remove 99.97% Dust Smoke Mold Pollen, Core 300, White

It has a red button that shows you when the filter needs replacing and it’s as simple as turning the machine off, turning it upside down, twisting the bottom, removing the filter, installing the new filter, placing the bottom back on, and turning on. You will need to hold down the red button for a minute to clear the setting.

I purchase the pet replacement filters, see below. They catch so much from the air, that you are surprised when you change the filter. The filter is easy to change and unlike our Dyson, it doesn’t make a mess. Here’s an article on the 6 Best Air purifiers for Mold from Healthline.

The Pet HEPA filters for Levoit, LEVOIT Air Purifier Pet Allergy Replacement Filter, 3-in-1 True HEPA, High-Efficiency Activated Carbon, Core 300-RF-PA, 1 Pack, Yellow

Busy Co.

Need a powerful cleaning without the shower? I have discovered these Busy Co. body wipes and love them. One wipe can clean your entire body, I use a cheaper brand on my feet.

Refresh Line Body Wipes for Women – Cleansing Body Wash Wipes, Armpit Wipes & Body Wipes w/ Fresh Citrus Scent – Zero-Waste Gym Wipes & Cleansing Wipes – No Rinse Bathing Wipes for Adults – 10 ct

Ancient Greek Remedy Moisturizer

I just bought this a week ago and love how well the oil soaks into the skin. I dislike oils that sit on the skin and feel greasy. This one doesn’t, it has a great smell, it’s made from natural ingredients, and is multi-purpose for men and women. It has a faint lavender scent, nothing overpowering.

Organic Blend of Olive, Lavender, Almond, and Grapeseed oils with Vitamin E. Day and night Moisturizer for Skin, Dry Hair, Face, Scalp, Foot, Cuticle and Nail Care. Natural Body oil for Men and Women

Eco Tools

As summer sneaks up on us my skin is getting very dry. I noticed some flacking and decided to buy a dry brush. this one does the trick, its hard bristles do a great job of loosening dead skin. Best of all it’s less than $6.00.

EcoTools Dry Brush, Gentle Exfoliating Scrubber For Skincare and Beauty, Pore Cleansing, Pink

What products have you added to your life lately that you love?

Melinda