Cancer Experts: Coffee Doesn’t Cause Cancer, Drinking it Hot Might



For millions of Latinos having a cup of cafecito (coffee) every morning is an important part of their routine, but drinking it too hot may cause cancer according to cancer experts, CNN reports. In a recent review, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) confirmed coffee may not cause cancer but they warn drinking it at temperatures above 150-160 Fahrenheit (typical in Latino culture) may cause the disease. "The Working Group noted that the epidemiological evidence for very hot beverages and human cancer has strengthened over time,” the report ...

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Walnuts May Help Prevent Colon Cancer



A study by the American Cancer Society estimated that nearly 6,000 Latino men and 5,000 Latino women could be diagnosed with colon cancer each year. Colorectal cancer is the second-most commonly diagnosed cancer for both Latino men and women. However, eating a particular “superfood” may help prevent this dreaded disease. UConn Health and The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, reported in the Cancer Prevention Research journal, found that eating walnuts may change a person’s gut bacteria in a way that suppresses colon cancer. The researchers studied mice and found that those that at 7-10% of their daily total calories as walnuts developed fewer instances of colon cancer. These findings are the equivalent of a human eating one ounce of walnuts a day. Walnuts are loaded with ...

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If Cancer Is in Your Genes Healthy Living May Offset Risk, Study Suggests



Women with genes that are linked to breast cancer can significantly cut the risk for the disease by following a healthy lifestyle, according to a new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association, ABC News reports. The key lifestyle factors, researchers found to be the most important were: “Maintaining a healthy weight; not smoking; limiting alcohol; and not using hormone therapy after menopause.” “For women in the highest decile of risk owing to non-modifiable factors, those who had low BMI, did not drink or smoke, and did not use MHT [menopause hormone therapy] had risks comparable to an average woman in the general population,” the authors ...

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4 Tips to Protect Yourself from Skin Cancer



Summer will be here soon, and to be honest, I can’t wait to go picnic with the family, take a trip to the beach and enjoy the sun. As we enjoy all these great summer time activities, let’s keep in mind the risks of sun overexposure, including skin cancer. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is responsible for 79% of skin cancer-related deaths and is the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 25-30. All skin types and colors, including Latinos, are at risk. But, you don’t have to hide from the sun. Doctors say you can protect from skin cancer by following these simple tips from SkinCancer.org: • Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day • Cover up with clothing, including UV-blocking sunglasses • Apply 1 ounce of sunscreen to your ...

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Latino Health Disparities: Improving, But More Needs to be Done



The latest annual report on the nation’s health by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows Latinos are living longer than whites and blacks and health disparities are narrowing. Despite the latest improvements in health disparities, Latinos still have the highest incidence of high blood pressure and childhood obesity, The American Heart Association News (AHA) reports. “High blood pressure remains much more common among black Americans, and Hispanic children and teens are still more likely to be obese than their black, white and Asian counterparts.,” AHA said in a written statement. The CDC’s annual health report is a “snapshot” of the nation’s health “highlighting recent successes and challenges in fighting critical health problems in the United ...

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Study: Ads May Be Tempting Teens to Vape



Teens who have been exposed to electronic cigarette ads in the last 30 days are more likely to start vaping, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Engadget reports. "The unrestricted marketing of e-cigarettes and dramatic increases in their use by youth could reverse decades of progress in preventing tobacco use among youth," Brian King, deputy director at the CDC's smoking division, said in a statement. The data comes from the CDC's 2014 National Tobacco Survey that looked into the habits of more than 20,000 middle and high school students from across the country and found that the number of E-cigs users is increasing among teenagers. Along with their findings the CDC recommends “limiting e-cig sales to stores that only admit adults, ...

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Why Oral Cancer Is a Silent Killer



SaludToday Guest Blogger Jefferson Dental Clinics What disease kills as many people a year as handgun violence? Oral cancer. This silent killer is responsible for 10,000 deaths a year, and half of those diagnosed with oral cancer this year will be not alive in five years—and Latino men are among the most at-risk groups. Why the grim prognosis? Oral cancer is often detected late, because many skip routine dental exams. “The unfortunate reality of oral cancer is that the death rate is particularly high, not because it is hard to diagnose, but because often the cancer is discovered late in its development,” said Leslie Renee Townsend, DDS, regional dental director for Jefferson Dental Clinics. “Screenings for early detection are very important,” Townsend said. “Too often ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 1p ET 4/12/16: “How to Alter Health Messaging to Promote Prevention for Latinos”



Health messaging is a critical way to empower health equity. But without relevant, culturally competent health messages, Latinos will continue to face vast health disparities in diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, especially in the face of conflicting unhealthy marketing by the food and beverage industry. Let’s use #SaludTues on April 12, 2016, during National Minority Health Month, to tweet about how healthcare professionals, public health professionals, city leaders, businesses, schools, and you can alter language and images in their health messaging to promote health for Latinos. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “How to Alter Health Messaging to Promote Prevention for Latinos” TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST Tuesday, April 12, 2016 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag ...

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Happy National Public Health Week



Today is the kick-off of National Public Health Week (April 4-10) and this year's theme is “Healthiest Nation 2030,” with the goal of making the U.S. the healthiest nation in one generation! How can you participate? • Organize a health walk around your office with your co-workers and post it on social media using #NPHW #SaludNPHW. • Promote healthy habits by posting recipes and/or workout routines. You can also join any of the events organized by the American Public Health Association, see their full calendar here. Happy NPHW and together let’s make the U.S. the healthiest nation, free of cancer and ...

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