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Flu Shot Information
Information about the Flu Shot from Humana
 
Preventing Falls
Information on Preventing Falls from Humana
 
Opioid Facts for PEIA Members
 
5 Surprising Facts on Prescription Painkillers
 
 
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month 
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness of the importance of the prevention, early detection, and treatment of skin cancer. Each year, approximately 2 million persons in the United States are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancers (mostly basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas) (1). Although death rates from non-melanoma skin cancers are low, these cancers can cause damage and disfigurement if left untreated. Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. In 2008, the most recent year for which data are available, 59,695 U.S. adults were diagnosed with melanoma, and 8,623 died from the disease (2). Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and a history of sunburn are preventable risk factors for skin cancer. CDC recommends several ways for persons to protect themselves from UV radiation: seek shade, especially during midday hours; wear clothing to protect exposed skin; wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck; wear sunglasses; use sunscreen that has a sun protection factor of 15 or higher and has both UVA and UVB protection; and avoid indoor tanning. Additional information about skin cancer is available at www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin.
 
Protect your Family from Skin Cancer
How to Spot Skin Cancer
How to choose sunscreen
 
 
 
NOTE: Health Tips are provided by the American Institute for Cancer Research. Go to Health Tips Archives to view previous articles.
 

HealthTalk: Soup and Weight Loss

From the American Institute for Cancer Research
 
Q: Does soup really help you lose weight?
 
A: Some research suggests that starting a meal with soup may help fill you up enough to reduce the calories you consume at the rest of the meal without setting you up to overeat later. For this to work, the soup needs to be broth- or vegetable-based, not a high-calorie cheesy or creamy soup. You are more likely to be successful with this strategy if the foods you eat following the soup are served in smaller portions than your usual amounts, because often overeating is not due to unsatisfied hunger, but a response to big portions.
 
You can also use soup as a weight-loss aid by making soup your whole meal. Be sure to include beans, chicken, fish or other lean protein along with a bevy of low-calorie vegetables, and perhaps a whole grain like brown rice, farro or whole-wheat pasta. For overall health, keep in mind that commercial soup can be very high in sodium, often with 500 to 900 milligrams (mg) per one-cup serving. That’s a lot of sodium in just one food, since the suggested maximum is 1500 to 2300 mg of sodium for a whole day. Reduced-sodium versions are lower than a “standard” product, but they often contain at least 400 to 600 mg per cup, which is definitely not low-sodium.
 
Instead, you can purchase soups labeled “low sodium:” these have no more than 140 mg of sodium per one-cup serving. You can also make your own soup, using commercial low-sodium broth, no-added-salt tomatoes or water as a convenient shortcut. Smart use of soup can help you eat more nutrient-rich vegetables and cut calories without going hungry; make it a three-way win by also taking steps to avoid sodium overload.
 
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The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) is the cancer charity that fosters research on the relationship of nutrition, physical activity and weight management to cancer risk, interprets the scientific literature and educates the public about the results. It has contributed more than $96 million for innovative research conducted at universities, hospitals and research centers across the country. AICR has published two landmark reports that interpret the accumulated research in the field, and is committed to a process of continuous review. AICR also provides a wide range of educational programs to help millions of Americans learn to make dietary changes for lower cancer risk. Its award-winning New American Plate program is presented in brochures, seminars and on its website, www.aicr.org. AICR is a member of the World Cancer Research Fund International.