2008 Komen New York City
Race for the Cure^®

Sunday, September 14, 2008, Central Park, 9 am

You can help create a world without breast cancer.

Join more than 20,000 New Yorkers - including over 1,500 breast cancer survivors - at our annual 5K Run/Walk and help run breast cancer out of town!

Komen Greater NYC was founded in 1990 by friends of the late television journalist Benita Feurey — friends committed to keeping her memory alive by providing breast health education, screening, treatment, and other services to individuals in the five boroughs of New York City, on Long Island, and in Westchester and Rockland Counties. Since its inception, Komen Greater NYC has raised over $40 million. Seventy-five percent of money raised supports local programs; twenty-five percent goes to national research to find the cures.

In 2008, Komen Greater NYC awarded over $3.8 million in grants. Nearly $2.3 million will support 38 community-based organizations that provide breast health programs to underserved women. Three area hospitals will receive $225,000 to increase the capacity of local researchers to enroll women in breast cancer trials and Komen Greater NYC will make $45,000 in grants to local breast cancer conferences and education programs. This year, Komen Greater NYC provided close to $1.3 million for national peer-reviewed research. For more information, visit http://www.komennyc.org

This year, I will be participating in the Race for the Cure as part of the Continuum Team. If you would like to support me Click here to donate online. - Julie

Japan: Physically Active People Less Likely to Develop Cancer
Study by Japanese Health Ministry
July 11 ,2008

Rueters News Agency announced yesterday a first of it's kind study from Japan looking at the relationship between exercise and leisure and the development of cancer. The research group led by the Japanese health ministry found that physically active people are less likely than sedentary people to develop cancer. Men in the most active group had a 13 percent lower risk of developing cancer compared with the least active group. The difference was even greater for active women - 16 percent lower risk.

Dr. Manami Inoue, section chief of the National Cancer Centre, pointed out that in the West there has been much research into this area. "However, our research is the first in Japan of its size and scope - we looked at overall exercise and labor. There are a lot of physical differences between Asians and our Western counterparts. Asians are usually leaner, with a lower BMI (Body Mass Index). Many contributing factors for cancer have been suggested ... our research showed that lack of general physical activity is one of such reasons."

Researchers surveyed nearly 80,000 men and women between ages 45 - 74 in nine different Japanese prefectures. Researchers found the most notable trend was among Japanese women who were engaging in regular exercise and led an active lifestyle. The study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology .

Exercising Men Less Likely to Die from Cancer
new study from Sweden
June 29 ,2008

A new study from the Karolinska Institutet, a Swedish medical university, found that men who exercise often are less likely to die from cancer than men who don't. The study looked at physical activity levels and cancer risk in over 40,000 men, aged 45 - 79. During the seven year study, men who walked or cycled for 30 minutes a day or more had a 33 % increase in survival from cancer than the men who exercised less. The researchers published their findings in the British Journal of Cancer (N Orsini, CS Mantzoros och A Wolk. Association of physical activity with cancer incidence, mortality, and survival a population-based study of men. British Journal of Cancer, 27 May 2008).

Low Levels of Physical Activity and High Levels of Obesity Found in Cancer Survivors
Fitness, Obesity and Cancer
April 22 ,2008

A new study reveals that many cancer survivors are inactive and obese, which may negatively affect the control of their disease. The findings, which come from a study of cancer survivors in Canada, show that a cancer diagnosis does not appear to prompt significant behavior change and that interventions to increase physical activity and promote better eating habits among cancer survivors are warranted. The study is published in the June 1, 2008 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

Obesity and physical inactivity are known to be detrimental to health, and in cancer patients, studies have linked these factors to negative outcomes including disease recurrence, cancer-specific death and reduced quality of life. However, few studies have looked at the prevalence of physical activity and obesity in populations of cancer survivors.

To determine this prevalence and compare it to individuals without a history of cancer, Kerry S. Courneya, Ph.D. of the University of Alberta in Edmonton analyzed data from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey consisting of computer-assisted interviews of more than 114,000 adults. Survey participants reported their cancer history, height and body weight (to calculate body mass index), and participation in various leisure time activities.

The study revealed that fewer than 22 percent of Canadian cancer survivors were physically active, with the lowest rates reported by male and female colorectal cancer survivors, female melanoma survivors and breast cancer survivors. Also, nearly one in five (18 percent) of cancer survivors was obese, and one in three (34 percent) was overweight with little variation among the cancer survivor groups. The authors concluded that Canadian cancer survivors have low levels of physical activity and a high prevalence of obesity that are comparable to the general population.

However, some differences were found between cancer survivors and those without a history of cancer. Prostate cancer survivors were more likely to be active and less likely to be obese than men without a history of cancer, and male skin cancer survivors were more likely to be active than their disease-free counterparts. Also, obese breast cancer survivors were less likely to be active compared with obese women without a history of cancer. "This finding is cause for concern because physical activity may be particularly important for obese breast cancer survivors," the authors note. Studies suggest that obese breast cancer survivors may particularly benefit from higher physical activity levels in terms of preventing disease recurrence and improving quality of life.

In light of their findings, the authors recommend that lifestyle interventions be implemented to increase physical activity and promote a health body weight among cancer survivors.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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Article: "Physical activity and obesity in Canadian cancer survivors: Population-based estimates from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey." Kerry S. Courneya, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, and Eric Bacon. CANCER; Published Online: April 21, 2008 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.23455); Print Issue Date: June 1, 2008.

Source: David Sampson

ACSM AND AMA LAUNCH "EXERCISE IS MEDICINE" PROGRAM
Calls for Physicians to Prescribe Exercise to Patients
December 21 ,2007

In November, The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Medical Association (AMA) launched Exercise is Medicine TM, a new program designed to encourage America's patients to incorporate physical activity and exercise into their daily routine. Exercise is Medicine TM calls on doctors to prescribe exercise to their patients.

A recent survey conducted of the public by ACSM found that nearly two-thirds of patients (65%)
would be more interested in exercising to stay healthy if advised by their doctor and given
additional resources. Four out of 10 physicians (41%) talk to their patients about the importance
of exercise, but don't always offer suggestions on the best ways to be physically active. Patients
(25%) look to their doctor first for advice on exercise and physical activity. They turn next to
fitness and health Web sites (24%).

The goal of the Exercise is Medicine TM program is to encourage physicians to record physical
activity as a vital sign during patient visits. Able patients will be advised to participate in at least
30 minutes of physical activity and 10 minutes of stretching and light muscle training five days a
week.

A new Web site- www.exerciseismedicine.org - contains educational materials and toolkits for
physicians to use in their practices. The site also includes information for patients, the media, and
policymakers, as well as a listing of initial supporting organizations. Educational models will be
developed for use in medical schools so students can learn the importance of prescribing
exercise to patients early in their careers.

Physical inactivity is a fast-growing public health problem in this country and contributes to a
variety of chronic diseases and health complications, including obesity, coronary artery disease,
diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, depression and anxiety, arthritis and osteoporosis. In
addition to improving a patient's overall health, increasing physical activity has proven effective in
the treatment and prevention of chronic disease.

"We already advise against smoking; recommending exercise should be no different," said Robert
E. Sallis, M.D., ACSM president. "Physicians can support the program by prescribing exercise
and offering patients basic educational materials. Exercise can have tremendous health benefits
for patients."

"More than half of Americans don't get nearly enough exercise and would be astounded to
see how much difference a brisk 30-minute walk a few times a week makes in their overall
health," said Ronald M. Davis, M.D., AMA president. "We encourage physicians to talk to their
patients about the importance of exercise and to work with them to establish programs they can
start today and continue throughout their lives."

ACSM AND AMA EXPAND "EXERCISE IS MEDICINETM" PROGRAM
Action plan issued to incorporate physical activity into healthcare plans
December 20 ,2007

A week after launching Exercise is MedicineTM, a new initiative designed to encourage physicians to counsel patients about physical activity and prescribe exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Medical Association (AMA) are reaching out to leaders at the national and state levels and supporting organizations.

The two organizations have issued a five-point action plan that will help Exercise is MedicineTM, and the idea that exercise is an integral part of healthcare, be further implemented among physicians and the public. Specifically, ACSM and AMA will work with national and state leaders to:

1. Increase the number of physicians who are prescribing exercise and increased physical activity to their patients by expanding medical education about the health benefits of exercise, encouraging physical activity to be considered as a vital sign, and providing additional tools and resources for physicians to incorporate exercise into their everyday practice.

2. Build the science and evidence base connecting physical activity and health, and also the relationship between physical inactivity and chronic disease, and accelerate the transfer of this knowledge into medical practice.

3. Increase collaborations among physicians and exercise professionals to benefit patients for whom exercise and increased physical activity can prevent, treat, or manage chronic diseases.

4. Educate the public on the health benefits of exercise and physical activity, and encourage patients to talk to their physician about their physical activity needs.

5. Encourage even greater leadership and action by organizations and individuals - at both the national level and in each state - to make commonplace and effective the discussion between physician and patient about physical activity and health.

Please visit the initiative website - http://www.exerciseismedicine.org/ - for further information.

2008 Komen New York City Race for the Cure®

2008 Komen New York City
Race for the Cure^®