| January |
| National Healthy Weight Week (third week in January) -Tip: Focus on adding not subtracting. When building your plate or ordering food, focus on what can be added to increase the content of fruits, vegetables or whole grains. For example, next time you make a dish such as pasta, add a handful of spinach or sautéed peppers. National Cervical Health Awareness Month -Tip: Get Screened! Take a look at the American Cancer Society’s Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines to learn what the appropriate screening measures are for you or your loved ones [i]. |
| February |
| National Cancer Prevention Month -Tip: Get recommended screenings for your age, gender etc. Use these Cancer Screening Guidelines from the American Cancer Society to learn more [ii]. American Heart Month -Tip: Reduce sodium intake! When cooking at home, try reducing salt in recipes or substituting with flavorful spices such as those highlighted in our Fall for New Flavors series [iii]. When shopping for food, look for “low sodium foods” or those containing less than 140 mg of sodium per serving [iv]. Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Educate yourself and others. Use this resource from the National Foundation for Cancer Research to learn more about risk factors and symptoms of these cancers [v]. |
| March |
| Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Get Screened! According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the pandemic resulted in a sharp decline in colorectal cancer screenings [vi]. Take this pledge or share it with others to help prevent colorectal cancer [vi]. Finding colorectal cancer early may help increase the chance of successful treatment [vii]. National Nutrition Month -Tip: Visit or virtually visit a Registered Dietitian [viii]. Did you know Savor Health’s virtual assistant Ina® can provide symptom and side effect management that is supported by registered dietitians to cancer patients 24/7 “on demand”? Click here to learn more [ix]. |
| April |
| Testicular Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Know the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer [x]. Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Try some of these recipes and flavors to promote a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight [iii]. Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Get screened! Learn more about screening recommendations using this Head and Neck Cancer Screening Guide from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center [xi]. |
| May |
| Skin Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Choose sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher and be sure to reapply after your skin gets wet or after 2 hours in the sun [xii]. National Cancer Research Month -Tip: Check out the AACR Cancer Progress Report to learn more about advancements being made [xiii]. Brain Tumor Awareness Month -Tip: If you smoke, quit. Not smoking tobacco may lower the risk of brain tumors [xiv]. Bladder Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Consume a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. Some studies found that eating a healthy diet with many fruits and vegetables may reduce bladder cancer risk [xv]. Check out these Savor Health Recipes [iii]! |
| June |
| Cancer Survivorship Day -Tip: Test your knowledge about survivorship by taking the AACR Cancer Survivorship Quiz [xvi]. Men’s Health Week -Tip: Get checkups when recommended. Use this Checkup and Screening Guide for more specifics based on your age [xvii]. |
| July & August |
| UV Safety Month -Tip: Check the expiration date! Sunscreen typically lasts 2-3 years. Be sure your sunscreen isn’t expired before using it [xviii]. Sarcoma Awareness Month -Tip: Test your knowledge! Take this Sarcoma Quiz from the Cancer Research Institute to learn more about sarcoma [xix]. |
| September |
| Prostate Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Staying active can help to maintain a healthy weight [xx]. Learn more about the benefits of and recommendations for exercising here. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Be an advocate! Learn more about how to increase the awareness and priority of childhood cancer at the state, national, and global level here from the American Childhood Cancer Organization [xxi]. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Learn more about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer from the American Cancer Society [xxii]. Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Know when to get screened. Click here to learn more [xxiii]. Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month -Tip: Check out this guide for awareness and fundraising ideas [xxiv]. |
| October |
| Breast Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Know the signs and symptoms. Learn more about breast cancer symptoms from the CDC here [xxv]. Liver Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Read this resource from the American Cancer Society for more information on liver cancer prevention [xxvi]. |
| November |
| Lung Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Try to avoid smoking areas and opt for smoke-free when available to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke [xxvii]. National Family Caregiver Month -Tip: Use social media graphics from the Administration for Community Living to celebrate the observance of National Family Caregivers Month [xxviii]. Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Limit added sugar in your diet such as sugary drinks [xxix]. Check out these tips on reducing added sugar [xxx]. Stomach Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: Taking part in regular physical activity may help decrease the risk of stomach cancer [xxxi]. Learn more about exercising against cancer here [xxxii]. Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Month -Tip: There are no known ways to prevent carcinoid cancer at this time, although, not smoking may be able to lower your risk of this disease [xxxiii]. |
| December |
| Cancer Screen Week (first week in December) -Tip: Use this Appointment Reminder Card to help you stay on top of your screening appointments [xxxiv]. |
References:
[i] The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html
[ii] Cancer Screening Guidelines. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/cancer-screening-guidelines.html
[iii] Recipes. Retrieved from: https://savor-health.flywheelsites.com/resources/recipes/
[iv] How Much Sodium Should I Eat Per Day? Retrieved from: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sodium/how-much-sodium-should-i-eat-per-day
[v] Gallbladder Cancer and Bile Duct Cancer Awareness Month: Signs Symptoms and Risk Factors. Retrieved from: https://www.nfcr.org/blog/gallbladder-and-bile-duct-cancer-awareness-month-signs-symptoms-and-risk-factors/
[vi] March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Retrieved from: https://www.ccalliance.org/about/awareness-month
[vii] Six Ways to Lower Your Risk for Colorectal Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/six-ways-to-lower-your-risk-for-colon-cancer.html
[viii] National Nutrition Month. Retrieved from: https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month
[ix] Ina® provides virtual support 24/7 “on demand” via SMS text and chat. Retrieved from: https://savor-health.flywheelsites.com/
[x] Testicular Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/testicular-cancer-care/symptoms-causes/syc-20352986
[xi] Head and Neck Cancer Screening: Guidelines and Tests. Retrieved from: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/head-neck/screening-guidelines-head-neck
[xii] Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Retrieved from: https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/awareness-campaigns/practice-safe-sun
[xiii] National Cancer Research Month. Retrieved from: https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/awareness-months/national-cancer-research-month/#:~:text=May%20is%20National%20Cancer%20Research,devastating%20diseases%20we%20call%20cancer
[xiv] Can Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Adults be Prevented? Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
[xv] Can Bladder Cancer be Prevented? Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
[xvi] AACR Cancer Survivorship Quiz. Retrieved from: https://aacr.org/Pages/NCSM-Quiz-2021/
[xvii] Get it Checked Poster Men. Retrieved from: http://www.menshealthmonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/getitcheckedpostermen.pdf
[xviii] Preventing Skin Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun/skin-cancer-prevention-infographic.html
[xix] Sarcoma Awareness Month: 2021 Immunotherapy Research Updates. Retrieved from: https://www.cancerresearch.org/blog/july-2021/sarcoma-awareness-month-2021-immunotherapy-researc
[xx] Prostate Cancer Prevention. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/in-depth/prostate-cancer-prevention/art-20045641
[xxi] Advocacy. Retrieved from: https://www.acco.org/advocacy/
[xxii] Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ovarian-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html
[xxiii] Screening Recommendations for Gynecological Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/magee/services/magee-womens-cancers/gynecologic-cancer-program/diagnostic-services/screenings
[xxiv] Awareness and Fundraising Guide. Retrieved from: https://lymphoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/LIR-Guide.pdf
[xxv] What are the Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer? Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/symptoms.htm
[xxvi] Can Liver Cancer Be Prevented? Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/liver-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
[xxvii] Lung Cancer. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20374620
[xxviii] National Family Caregiver Month. Retrieved from: https://acl.gov/news-and-events/downloads-and-multimedia/NFCM
[xxix] Pancreatic Cancer Risk Factors. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
[xxx] 7 Ways to Reduce Sugar. Retrieved from: https://savor-health.flywheelsites.com/7-ways-to-reduce-sugar/
[xxxi] Can Stomach Cancer Be Prevented? Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
[xxxii] Exercise Against Cancer. Retrieved from: https://savor-health.flywheelsites.com/exercise-cancer-latest-research/
[xxxiii] Carcinoid Tumor. Retrieved from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/carcinoid-tumor
[xxxvi] Cancer Screen Week. Retrieved from: https://www.cancerscreenweek.org/content/dam/gene/cancerscreenweek/resources/cancer-screen-week-appointment-reminder-card-english.pdf
