Women’s Health Month — Spotlight on Self-Care

Women’s Health Month — Spotlight on Self-Care

May marks Women’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the unique health needs of women. The demands of work and family, among other barriers, can greatly affect many women’s abilities to take care of their own health. This month’s spotlight on women serves as a gentle reminder for them to prioritize their own physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Consider the “whole” you, with these practical tips:graphic of women's head made of female silhouettes

  1. Make good food and drink choices – avoid processed foods and sugar; focus on fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein
  2. Stay active – Exercise or do other physical activity you enjoy, and often
  3. Get preventive healthcare – have regular checkups and screenings recommended by your doctor
  4.  Foster emotional well-being – cultivate resilience, practice self-care, nurture healthy relationships, and find balance in your daily life

Remember to “mind your mind” by tending to your mental health just as you would care for your physical health.

Research shows that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to lower your risk of many different health conditions, including cancer. Bag It Cancer recognizes the importance of having trustworthy resources specifically for women’s cancers. That’s why we collaborated with national women’s cancer nonprofits to create two Bag It Bags for metastatic breast and uterine cancers. Each bag has introductory information about these specific cancer types and the supportive resources offered by our partners. Order a Bag for yourself or a loved one.

Resources for Women’s Health

Know Your Rights: Reproductive Health Care from the Office on Women’s Health Women’s

Women’ Health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Office of Research on Women’s Health

Estamos encantados de presentar nuestra última innovación: ¡el Bolso Bag It Bicultural en Español!

Estamos encantados de presentar nuestra última innovación: ¡el Bolso Bag It Bicultural en Español!

Diseñado específicamente para la comunidad Latina y sus familias que enfrentan cáncer, este Bolso es el resultado de dos décadas de experiencia y colaboración para mejorar el contenido del Bolso Bag It original en español.

Spanish Bicultural Bag contentsReconociendo la profunda influencia de las creencias y los valores culturales durante el trayecto del cáncer, trabajamos estrechamente con miembros de la comunidad Latina que han tenido su propia experiencia con el cáncer: los sobrevivientes, los cuidadores, los proveedores de atención médica y otras personas que atienden a personas con cáncer. ¿El resultado? Un recurso único disponible tanto en español como en inglés, diseñado para cumplir con las necesidades de esta comunidad.

El Bolso Bicultural en Español le da prioridad a la participación familiar, reconociendo el importante papel que desempeñan las familias en las decisiones de tratamiento y cuidado. También se incluyen las necesidades de los niños, con orientación específica sobre cómo apoyarlos a través de una comunicación y comprensión apropiadas para su edad. Profundiza en cómo un diagnóstico de cáncer impacta la dinámica familiar, ofreciendo apoyo tanto a los pacientes como a quienes los rodean.

El Bolso Bag It sobresalta la importancia de mantener su atención médica preventiva y sus exámenes de detección del cáncer con regularidad. Analiza conceptos erróneos comunes sobre el cáncer, y al mismo tiempo proporciona información objetiva y confiable sobre los fundamentos del cáncer con el propósito de empoderar a las personas mientras navegan las aguas de su propia experiencia con el cáncer.

Woman with Spanish bicultural bag sitting on couchLa comunicación efectiva es clave, por lo que el Bolso ofrece consejos y estrategias prácticas para fomentar el diálogo entre familiares y profesionales de la salud, incluida la búsqueda de apoyo de parte de trabajadores sociales, asesores espirituales y otras personas a medida que los individuos y quienes los rodean hacen frente a la experiencia del cáncer desde su punto de diagnóstico hasta el final en cada fase de la sobrevivencia. Esto incluye la importancia de utilizar intérpretes médicos, cuando corresponda, para garantizar que las personas sean escuchadas y comprendan la información que se les comunique.

El Bolso de Bag It Cancer Bicultural en español es un recurso integral lleno de contenido y herramientas valiosos para empoderar a las personas y familias que enfrentan el cáncer. Proporcionar herramientas de organización e información confiable ayuda a que los pacientes obtengan una mayor sensación de control en su trayecto. La participación proactiva en su atención permite una mejor calidad de vida y resultados de salud.

Pair Goals & Intentions for A Happier, Healthier You in 2024

Pair Goals & Intentions for A Happier, Healthier You in 2024

As we start the new year, let’s not just think about resolutions as a list. Identifying both goals and intentions will make for a happier and healthier you.

Goals are specific targets, such as finishing a fitness challenge or learning something new. They give you a plan and a good feeling when you achieve them.Healthier and Happier you in 2024 graphic

Intentions are more about how you want to live your life. It’s like deciding to be positive, enjoy each day, or take care of yourself.

Paired, they give you the why and the how for living a more intentional life.

What to Think About for 2024

Goals: Think about what you want to achieve, like getting healthier, doing well at work, or spending more time with loved ones. Make sure your goals are doable and break them into smaller steps.

Intentions: Consider how you want to approach the year. Maybe focus on staying cheerful, being present in daily activities, or finding balance in your life.

For someone dealing with cancer, goals might be about finishing treatment, managing symptoms or learning about their cancer. Intentions could include prioritizing self-care and doing things that make them happy.

In cancer support, things like Bag It Cancer can help. The Bag It Cancer Bag gives tools and information for goals, and it also shows support and helps with feelings—a bit like a friendly companion.

Balancing goals and intentions is like having a plan and a positive mindset, making life better overall. It’s a great way to start the new year with a focus on feeling good and growing.

Resource To Help You Get Started

Read this article on self-awareness and setting intentions from Psychology Today.

September To Do List: Get Prostate Screening

September To Do List: Get Prostate Screening

Did you know…

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer (excluding skin cancer) among men? About 1 in 8 men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis during their lifetime, with higher rates among Black and African American men.Prostate Cancer Ribbons in heart shape

Like most cancers, usually the earlier prostate cancer is caught, the better the chances of staying disease-free. Screenings are important because you may not have any symptoms.

When to start prostate cancer screening is a personal decision that should be made after talking with your doctor. They will assess factors such as your age, race, medical and family history, additional risk factors and any symptoms you may be experiencing. Together, you’ll discuss the pros and cons of screening.

Prostate Cancer Bag It BagThe good news is that the vast majority of prostate cancers are found just within the prostate (local) or the region near it (regional), when active surveillance or immediate treatment has a very high success rate.  

Developed for men with early-stage prostate cancer, we launched a new Prostate Cancer Bag It Bag to arm you and your partner with helpful tools and reliable information to make decisions and self-advocate during your prostate cancer journey.

Order Your Prostate Cancer Bag