breast-cancer-related stories
Exercise Reduces Breast Cancer Risk
Photo: AP
A recent review of 954 studies sponsored by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research found that exercise, healthy eating and keeping weight under control can help prevent nearly 40 percent of breast cancer cases in the United States.
The study notes that exercise, in particular, may help reduce breast cancer risk not only by strengthening the immune system but also positively affecting hormones in postmenopausal women and helping with weight loss. Being overweight puts you at an increased risk for developing breast cancer because fatty tissue produces hormones and growth factors, such as estrogen and insulin, which may promote cancer development. Recommendations for exercise, which are echoed by the American Cancer Society, include being physically active for 30 minutes a day.
First Woman to Walk the World Shares Her Lessons from the Road - This Week on AOL Health
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| Photo: Courtesy of Polly Letofsky/ Newcastle Productions |
In total, she trekked 14,124 miles across 22 countries in North America, Australia, Asia and Europe, at an average of 15 miles per day for 1,825 consecutive days, or five years. As she raised more than $250,000 for 13 breast cancer organizations, she burned through 29 pairs of shoes.
Find out the lessons Letofsky learned on the road and how she prepared mentally and physically for her journey.
Christina Applegate - She Eats to Live, Trains Like an Athlete and Can't Afford Her Favorite Lunch
Celebrity Fitzness Report, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Our fitness expert Fitz sits down with the stars and digs out their great and not-so-great methods for staying healthy.
Christina Applegate has grown up before our eyes and has truly evolved into a sophisticated, smart, driven woman who also happens to be one hell of a comedic actress. Her hit show "Samantha Who?" on ABC is in its second season, and Christina has had to split her focus between continuing to deliver hilarity on cue and recuperating from an aggressive battle with breast cancer. She's recovering from a double mastectomy and becoming the fit woman she's accustomed to being. Christina talked about her efforts to stay strong, the diet she can no longer afford and the torture she endures for gorgeous skin.
Fitz: Christina, you look the best I've ever seen. What have you been doing?
Christina: Thanks! I'm finally able to exercise (since my surgery). My recovery has been really long and slow but I've been gradually getting back in to it.
Fitz: What type do you do?
Christina: I've been running, spinning, dancing and taking boot camp classes. I really love to exercise.
Fitz: That doesn't sound very gentle at all! In fact, it sounds like a pretty hard-core workout schedule.
Christina Applegate
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: ***EXCLUSIVE ACCESS*** (L-R) Christina Applegate and former contestant Ruben Studdard are seen backstage at the American Idol Season 8 Results Show held at the Nokia Theatre on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by F Micelotta/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox) *** Local Caption *** Christina Applegate;Ruben Studdard
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: ***EXCLUSIVE ACCESS*** Christina Applegate is seen backstage at the American Idol Season 8 Results Show held at the Nokia Theatre on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by F Micelotta/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox) *** Local Caption *** Christina Applegate
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Actress Christina Applegate and musician Keith Urban arrive at the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. "American Idol" Grand Finale 2009 - Arrivals Nokia Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, CA United States May 20, 2009 Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com To license this image (16805288), contact WireImage.com
Steve Granitz/WireImage.com
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 18: Actress Christina Applegate arrives at Shakespeare Festival/LA's Simply Shakespeare 2009 "The Comedy of Errors" at The Geffen Playhouse on May 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Christina Applegate
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 18: (L-R) Actors Martin Short, Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Arte Johnson, Eugene Levy, Shirley Jones, Peter Graves, Christina Applegate and Kelsey Grammar pose at Shakespeare Festival/LA's Simply Shakespeare 2009 "The Comedy of Errors" at The Geffen Playhouse on May 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tom Hanks;Rita Wilson;Arte Johnson;Martin Short;Shirley Jones;Peter Graves;Kelsey Grammar
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 18: Actress Christina Applegate (L) and founding artistic director Ben Donenberg pose at Shakespeare Festival/LA's Simply Shakespeare 2009 "The Comedy of Errors" at The Geffen Playhouse on May 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Christina Applegate;Ben Donenberg
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 18: (L-R) Founding artistic director Ben Donenberg, actors Martin Short, Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Arte Johnson, Eugene Levy, Shirley Jones, Peter Graves, Christina Applegate and Kelsey Grammar pose at Shakespeare Festival/LA's Simply Shakespeare 2009 "The Comedy of Errors" at The Geffen Playhouse on May 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tom Hanks;Rita Wilson;Arte Johnson;Martin Short;Shirley Jones;Peter Graves;Kelsey Grammar;Ben Donenberg
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 18: Actress Christina Applegate arrives at Shakespeare Festival/LA's Simply Shakespeare 2009 "The Comedy of Errors" at The Geffen Playhouse on May 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Christina Applegate
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 18: Actress Christina Applegate arrives at Shakespeare Festival/LA's Simply Shakespeare 2009 "The Comedy of Errors" at The Geffen Playhouse on May 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Christina Applegate
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 18: (L-R) Actors Martin Short, Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Arte Johnson, Eugene Levy, Shirley Jones, Peter Graves, Christina Applegate, Kelsey Grammar and singer Alanis Morissette pose at Shakespeare Festival/LA's Simply Shakespeare 2009 "The Comedy of Errors" at The Geffen Playhouse on May 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tom Hanks;Rita Wilson;Arte Johnson;Martin Short;Shirley Jones;Peter Graves;Kelsey Grammar
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Put your health first ... Sheryl Crow does
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation, Nutrition & Supplements
My grandmother used to say that the more important word in "hard lesson" is the second one. Life sends tough -- sometimes seemingly insurmountable -- obstacles our way. It's our responsibility to pull whatever good can come out of those difficulties. Sheryl Crow faced one of the biggest obstacles anyone can encounter when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two and a half years ago she underwent a lumpectomy and radiation to treat her illness. Today, she remains cancer free.
Crow walked away from her battle with cancer with an important life lesson in hand. She says that breast cancer helped her put herself first in her life. That's an example we all can learn from. Many of us put our health on the back burner in favor of more pressing commitments. But what could be more important than your well-being?
Eat healthfully like Elizabeth Hurley
Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
As we all should, Hurley takes steps to protect her good health. She lives in the country where she spends lots of time out in the fresh air and in her garden. She also makes nutritional choices that support good health. While she admits to splurging on chocolate or chips from time to time, she makes a habit of choosing healthful foods. Also, after she started buying fewer prepackaged foods, she discovered that she loves cooking.
Go Pink! Support research with your workout
From watches to t-shirts to tote bags to yogurt, you can find almost any product that labeled with the familiar pink ribbon. Portions of the proceeds from these products benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation and help with cancer research costs.
A wide variety of fitness-related products have gone pink, too. If it's time to replace your running shoes or you need some new workout clothes, then why not look for the pink ribbon? Check out the gallery for just a few of the products that help support cancer research.
Have an ailment? Find a fitness class just for you
It used to be that group classes at gyms were broken into a few small categories -- men/women, high intensity/low impact and so forth. But gyms have started to offer special classes that are designed to benefit much smaller groups. Most recently, gyms are offering classes designed for people with certain conditions or illnesses. Osteoporosis, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions are just a few of the health problems gyms are starting to target. Depending on the condition, the classes may aim to improve the symptoms and/or reduce risk factors for recurrence.
If you have a specific condition, talk to one of the trainers at your gym. (Or call a local gym if you don't have a membership.) Even if they don't have condition-specific classes scheduled yet, they may have other gym-goers who are interested. In the meantime, a trainer can design a program that works specifically for your health needs.
