When Did We Get So Old?
By Michele Willensaug : NY Times : August 30, 2014
Johnathan Rodgers, who is 68, knew that it was time to step down as president and chief executive of the cable channel TV One when he looked around the conference table. “I had almost always been the youngest through most of my career,” says the former media executive. “Now I was the oldest, and it caused great discomfort.”
Robert Krulwich knows the feeling. As co-host of WNYC’s popular science series “Radiolab,” he works with people many years his junior. “I try to be aware that whenever I think of myself as a peer, I mentally catch myself,” says Mr. Krulwich, who is in his 60s. “There is business to be done between us, but always from two different places. I used to forget it, but they never do.”
Yes, my generation, born between 1946 and 1964, has physical concerns: Friends are dying, joints are aching, and memories are failing. There are financial issues, with forced retirement and unemployment, children needing money and possibly a bed, and dependent parents. But for many of us, it is a psychological quandary that is causing the most unpleasantness: looking around and suddenly being the oldest.
Every generation gets old, but for those who were told we’d be forever young, it just seems more painful. “It’s a huge issue,” says Dr. Anna Fels, a psychiatrist in New York. “I see so many who are trying to adjust their lives to this new phase, which for some reason none of us really pictured ourselves going through.”
Why didn’t we? We knew that eventually more people around us would be younger rather than older. But it still rankles. The image of a room filled with younger people is the perfect symbol.
“It’s an important marker for this generation because it reminds them that they are now the ones closest to obsolescence, the ones the world can do without,” says Dr. Roger Gould, a psychiatrist and the author of “Transformations,” a book about age-related adult problems.
“I think the wake-up call for many was when Obama was elected,” says Joan Entmacher, vice president for Family Economic Security at the National Women’s Law Center in Washington. “Now, they were older than the president! Even pre-retirement, boomers realize they are no longer cutting edge.”
Misery loves company. We can take comfort in knowing there are around 77 million boomers, the largest generation in the United States population. Someone turns 50 every seven seconds.
It seems the sufferers eventually settle into one of two groups. The first are those who prefer being around younger people, even moving to college communities or hip neighborhoods. In this category, I would include my friend Robin, who, at 67, frequents SoulCycle, eats at noisy restaurants and avoids Wednesday matinees. “I am not trying to deny aging,” she insists, “but my husband and I choose not to be surrounded by it.” Instead of making her feel insecure, being the oldest in the room keeps her feeling vital.
Then there are those who prefer the places where they are on the younger end. I — as of this moment a fit 65 — do my lifting and stretching at the 92nd Street Y, where they still lament that Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis broke up. This is one of the last places I am considered a kid. My 90-year-old aunt accuses me of showing up at her assisted living facility so often because I am far and away the youngest person on the premises.
Why some of us cope better with the troubling transition may be based on how we measure our self-esteem. “If a person bases his or her pride of self on having won a tournament at 18, they are very vulnerable later on,” says Dr. Gould. “There’s money, there are houses, there are face-lifts. They all help a little, but none matters enough unless your sense of self is not directly related to age.”
Even deciding whether or not to color our hair, not to mention take advantage of cosmetic procedures, presents a boomer dilemma: Can we stay true to our feminism while ceding to our narcissism? In her memoir, Hillary Rodham Clinton writes about being the toughest in the rooms where war and peace were discussed. Still, she is already seeing that her health, fatigue-factor, and even becoming a grandmother may yet speak unspoken volumes. It won’t be much fun being the oldest in the race.
The uh-oh moments, of course, do not come only when we look around that proverbial room and find that everyone else looks like they just attended their bar or bat mitzvah. But the ones that tend to gnaw are when someone gets up to offer you a seat, calls you ma’am, asks if you have grandchildren. Desperately seeking compliments can become a full-time job.
Rather than going gently into mentor mode I have now entered the Extreme Sport of the Boomer Challenge, returning to college after 40 gap years. Sitting in Columbia University classrooms, where I am the oldest and dumbest, I see the eyes rolling, For example, among my three assigned partners with whom I would be doing a 20-page report on Coney Island. But I saw them soften when they learned that I had a car and connections, and could edit. It’s a daily challenge — but how many have both student and senior IDs?
And I am learning some lessons of another kind. For example, never start a sentence with, “When I was your age...” or “In my day...” Do not attempt to show that while you may look old, you’re still 22 inside. Even if you know who Schoolboy Q is, don’t brag, because you’ll get something wrong eventually. Like too many cosmetic procedures, rather than youthenizing us, they only make us seem older.
Berkeley Blatz, 65, who has been teaching in the Santa Monica, Calif., schools for more than 30 years, says being the oldest in the room actually became easier once his own acceptance kicked in and he acknowledged he was one of us and not one of them. “Interestingly, the older I get, the more connectivity I have with the students,” he says. “They tolerate more from me, and I from them.”
I get it. When I was asked in a sociology class what music I listened to, I hesitantly named Sam Cooke, thinking I would be stared at with stumped pity. In fact, many voices shouted out, “Love Sam Cooke!” My relief is understood by a buoyant Johnathan Rodgers, who has retired from his cable TV jobs and is finding life these days to be liberating.
“I used to color my hair, now I don’t,” says Mr. Rodgers, who is serving on some boards. “Yes, being the youngest person in the room was more exciting and empowering. This is not the same, but it’s the new reality.”
By Michele Willensaug : NY Times : August 30, 2014
Johnathan Rodgers, who is 68, knew that it was time to step down as president and chief executive of the cable channel TV One when he looked around the conference table. “I had almost always been the youngest through most of my career,” says the former media executive. “Now I was the oldest, and it caused great discomfort.”
Robert Krulwich knows the feeling. As co-host of WNYC’s popular science series “Radiolab,” he works with people many years his junior. “I try to be aware that whenever I think of myself as a peer, I mentally catch myself,” says Mr. Krulwich, who is in his 60s. “There is business to be done between us, but always from two different places. I used to forget it, but they never do.”
Yes, my generation, born between 1946 and 1964, has physical concerns: Friends are dying, joints are aching, and memories are failing. There are financial issues, with forced retirement and unemployment, children needing money and possibly a bed, and dependent parents. But for many of us, it is a psychological quandary that is causing the most unpleasantness: looking around and suddenly being the oldest.
Every generation gets old, but for those who were told we’d be forever young, it just seems more painful. “It’s a huge issue,” says Dr. Anna Fels, a psychiatrist in New York. “I see so many who are trying to adjust their lives to this new phase, which for some reason none of us really pictured ourselves going through.”
Why didn’t we? We knew that eventually more people around us would be younger rather than older. But it still rankles. The image of a room filled with younger people is the perfect symbol.
“It’s an important marker for this generation because it reminds them that they are now the ones closest to obsolescence, the ones the world can do without,” says Dr. Roger Gould, a psychiatrist and the author of “Transformations,” a book about age-related adult problems.
“I think the wake-up call for many was when Obama was elected,” says Joan Entmacher, vice president for Family Economic Security at the National Women’s Law Center in Washington. “Now, they were older than the president! Even pre-retirement, boomers realize they are no longer cutting edge.”
Misery loves company. We can take comfort in knowing there are around 77 million boomers, the largest generation in the United States population. Someone turns 50 every seven seconds.
It seems the sufferers eventually settle into one of two groups. The first are those who prefer being around younger people, even moving to college communities or hip neighborhoods. In this category, I would include my friend Robin, who, at 67, frequents SoulCycle, eats at noisy restaurants and avoids Wednesday matinees. “I am not trying to deny aging,” she insists, “but my husband and I choose not to be surrounded by it.” Instead of making her feel insecure, being the oldest in the room keeps her feeling vital.
Then there are those who prefer the places where they are on the younger end. I — as of this moment a fit 65 — do my lifting and stretching at the 92nd Street Y, where they still lament that Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis broke up. This is one of the last places I am considered a kid. My 90-year-old aunt accuses me of showing up at her assisted living facility so often because I am far and away the youngest person on the premises.
Why some of us cope better with the troubling transition may be based on how we measure our self-esteem. “If a person bases his or her pride of self on having won a tournament at 18, they are very vulnerable later on,” says Dr. Gould. “There’s money, there are houses, there are face-lifts. They all help a little, but none matters enough unless your sense of self is not directly related to age.”
Even deciding whether or not to color our hair, not to mention take advantage of cosmetic procedures, presents a boomer dilemma: Can we stay true to our feminism while ceding to our narcissism? In her memoir, Hillary Rodham Clinton writes about being the toughest in the rooms where war and peace were discussed. Still, she is already seeing that her health, fatigue-factor, and even becoming a grandmother may yet speak unspoken volumes. It won’t be much fun being the oldest in the race.
The uh-oh moments, of course, do not come only when we look around that proverbial room and find that everyone else looks like they just attended their bar or bat mitzvah. But the ones that tend to gnaw are when someone gets up to offer you a seat, calls you ma’am, asks if you have grandchildren. Desperately seeking compliments can become a full-time job.
Rather than going gently into mentor mode I have now entered the Extreme Sport of the Boomer Challenge, returning to college after 40 gap years. Sitting in Columbia University classrooms, where I am the oldest and dumbest, I see the eyes rolling, For example, among my three assigned partners with whom I would be doing a 20-page report on Coney Island. But I saw them soften when they learned that I had a car and connections, and could edit. It’s a daily challenge — but how many have both student and senior IDs?
And I am learning some lessons of another kind. For example, never start a sentence with, “When I was your age...” or “In my day...” Do not attempt to show that while you may look old, you’re still 22 inside. Even if you know who Schoolboy Q is, don’t brag, because you’ll get something wrong eventually. Like too many cosmetic procedures, rather than youthenizing us, they only make us seem older.
Berkeley Blatz, 65, who has been teaching in the Santa Monica, Calif., schools for more than 30 years, says being the oldest in the room actually became easier once his own acceptance kicked in and he acknowledged he was one of us and not one of them. “Interestingly, the older I get, the more connectivity I have with the students,” he says. “They tolerate more from me, and I from them.”
I get it. When I was asked in a sociology class what music I listened to, I hesitantly named Sam Cooke, thinking I would be stared at with stumped pity. In fact, many voices shouted out, “Love Sam Cooke!” My relief is understood by a buoyant Johnathan Rodgers, who has retired from his cable TV jobs and is finding life these days to be liberating.
“I used to color my hair, now I don’t,” says Mr. Rodgers, who is serving on some boards. “Yes, being the youngest person in the room was more exciting and empowering. This is not the same, but it’s the new reality.”
THE 11 RULES FOR AGEING .........by Dr Larry Dunlap
:
l. When you cannot win a battle, lose gracefully.
2. Shut up about it. All those aches, pains, and misfortunes are just what no one else wants to hear about.
3. Develop some pithy aphorisms and use them relentlessly. This is so friends and relatives can quote you at your funeral.
4. If you believe in Heaven, start acting like the kind of person they might let in. So many people seem to be bitter about the discomforts and sadness of old age. In reality it is the time one should be polishing the apple for Jesus, Mohammed, or Confucius. Give away things. Care for others. Help the less fortunate. Donate without expectation of return.
5. If you don’t believe in Heaven do everything recommended in rule #4 anyway. No specific reason other than humans need to be humane to one another. People forgot this in the rush for success and accomplishment. It is time to remember the values that really made life worth living.
6. Stay clean and groomed most of the time. Old people don’t always smell so good and while they lose hair that they wanted for protection from the sun, they grow hair in other unlikely and sometimes inconvenient places. Buy a magnifying mirror and attend to details. Santa Claus scares off small children. Try not to look like him except perhaps at Christmas.
7. Employ humor in everything you do. Try to find the funnier side of life. There is good science behind this; laughter lessens pain both emotional and physical. Smoke pot if it moves you in the right direction but just occasionally and not all day. Tools are okay but addiction is not. The same goes for rich desserts, alcohol, and chocolate.
8. Dress warmly. The really old are never fat. That should tell us something about longevity right there. Skin and bones need insulation. It is hard to be humorous when you are shivering. Long underwear is okay; just remember it takes longer to pee when you are wearing it.
9. Stuff leaks. The seals of old age are not tight. Expect it. Prepare for it. Deal with it. We are lucky that they make lots of disposable stuff to help us deal with it. If carrying these in your grocery cart seems embarrassing, just lie and say they are for your grandparents. Or you can order them discreetly delivered in an unidentifiable cardboard box from Drugstore.com.
10. Use the gadgets God gave us. Hearing aides, magnifiers, talking clocks and computers, motorized wheelchairs...options abound. If possible, buy the flashiest model available. Nothing projects “cool” like pinstripes on your walker. If a gadget will keep you involved, volunteering, active, or just enable you to visit the toilet unassisted, by all means utilize it.
11. Lastly, some of us will have a feeling of when it is time to say “goodnight” for the last time. Don’t let your doctors or family talk you out of it. Modern medicine can frequently prolong life way beyond where it was worth living. Have a signed will plus a “Directive to Physicians” and make sure the family knows that you don’t want medical miracles extending the life of your body when you brain has already taken its leave. Letting mother nature take her course is very reasonable when the end is in sight. If you know you have a terminal disease or condition, never, never, never let yourself be admitted to a hospital associated with a medical school.
These then are the 11 precepts that I hope to follow as my life moves towards the inevitable conclusion we all face. Life is a terminal disease. Still, it is an "E ticket" roller coaster ride that should be enjoyed every moment until it comes to a full stop.
l. When you cannot win a battle, lose gracefully.
2. Shut up about it. All those aches, pains, and misfortunes are just what no one else wants to hear about.
3. Develop some pithy aphorisms and use them relentlessly. This is so friends and relatives can quote you at your funeral.
4. If you believe in Heaven, start acting like the kind of person they might let in. So many people seem to be bitter about the discomforts and sadness of old age. In reality it is the time one should be polishing the apple for Jesus, Mohammed, or Confucius. Give away things. Care for others. Help the less fortunate. Donate without expectation of return.
5. If you don’t believe in Heaven do everything recommended in rule #4 anyway. No specific reason other than humans need to be humane to one another. People forgot this in the rush for success and accomplishment. It is time to remember the values that really made life worth living.
6. Stay clean and groomed most of the time. Old people don’t always smell so good and while they lose hair that they wanted for protection from the sun, they grow hair in other unlikely and sometimes inconvenient places. Buy a magnifying mirror and attend to details. Santa Claus scares off small children. Try not to look like him except perhaps at Christmas.
7. Employ humor in everything you do. Try to find the funnier side of life. There is good science behind this; laughter lessens pain both emotional and physical. Smoke pot if it moves you in the right direction but just occasionally and not all day. Tools are okay but addiction is not. The same goes for rich desserts, alcohol, and chocolate.
8. Dress warmly. The really old are never fat. That should tell us something about longevity right there. Skin and bones need insulation. It is hard to be humorous when you are shivering. Long underwear is okay; just remember it takes longer to pee when you are wearing it.
9. Stuff leaks. The seals of old age are not tight. Expect it. Prepare for it. Deal with it. We are lucky that they make lots of disposable stuff to help us deal with it. If carrying these in your grocery cart seems embarrassing, just lie and say they are for your grandparents. Or you can order them discreetly delivered in an unidentifiable cardboard box from Drugstore.com.
10. Use the gadgets God gave us. Hearing aides, magnifiers, talking clocks and computers, motorized wheelchairs...options abound. If possible, buy the flashiest model available. Nothing projects “cool” like pinstripes on your walker. If a gadget will keep you involved, volunteering, active, or just enable you to visit the toilet unassisted, by all means utilize it.
11. Lastly, some of us will have a feeling of when it is time to say “goodnight” for the last time. Don’t let your doctors or family talk you out of it. Modern medicine can frequently prolong life way beyond where it was worth living. Have a signed will plus a “Directive to Physicians” and make sure the family knows that you don’t want medical miracles extending the life of your body when you brain has already taken its leave. Letting mother nature take her course is very reasonable when the end is in sight. If you know you have a terminal disease or condition, never, never, never let yourself be admitted to a hospital associated with a medical school.
These then are the 11 precepts that I hope to follow as my life moves towards the inevitable conclusion we all face. Life is a terminal disease. Still, it is an "E ticket" roller coaster ride that should be enjoyed every moment until it comes to a full stop.
Health maintenance issues that are due at THIS time of OUR lives:
The Seven Warning Signs of Cancer:
The American Cancer Society uses the word C-A-U-T-I-O-N to help recognize the seven early signs of cancer:
Change in bowel or bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lump in the breast, testicles, or elsewhere
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Obvious change in the size, color, shape, or thickness of a wart, mole, or mouth sore
Nagging cough or hoarseness
The following symptoms may also signal the presence of some types of cancer:
Stroke Warning Signs:
Sometimes symptoms of stroke develop gradually. But if you are having a stroke, you are more likely to have one or more sudden warning signs like these:
Don't ignore these symptoms. Call your emergency service (911 in the USA) immediately and while waiting take a full strength aspirin.
Heart Attack Warning Symptoms:
Don't ignore these symptoms. Call your emergency service (911 in the USA) immediately and while waiting take a full strength aspirin.
What Causes Cancer? 9 Risk Factors to Know About
Dana Farber Cancer Institute :Published: April 10, 2018
About 1 in 3 people in the United States will get cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s usually not easy to tell why that cancer develops — but researchers have established some of the main factors that can increase or decrease your overall cancer risk.
Smoking and tobacco use. Smoking tobacco products is the number one risk factor for lung cancer — the longer and more frequently that one smokes, the higher the risk becomes. Smoking can also cause or contribute to cancers of the esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, colon, and rectum, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.
What you can do: Here is some advice on how to quit smoking. Pharmacotherapy, behavioral counseling, combination therapy, and even financial and material incentives have been proven to work for some smokers.
Too much red or processed meat. Processed meat is “carcinogenic to humans,” according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). The IARC also found that red meat is mainly linked to an increased risk for colorectal cancer, and had associations with pancreatic and prostate cancers.
What you can do: Reducing your red meat consumption to less than two servings per week is suggested. A typical plate of food should be 50 percent vegetables and fruits, 25 percent lean proteins, and 25 whole grains.
Exercise. Evidence shows that people who are physically active have a lower risk of developing colon, breast, and endometrial cancer. Research has also shown that people who exercise, even moderately, after cancer diagnosis also have a lower risk of recurrence for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer.
What you can do: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity, every week. That might not be possible for everyone – but some exercise is better than being inactive.
Obesity. Obesity has been linked to a higher risk of developing 13 different kinds of cancer, including, colorectal, endometrial, esophageal, pancreatic and breast cancers. The reasons for this are not completely clear, but some evidence suggests that losing weight if you are overweight or obese could lower your risk of developing cancer.
What you can do: Maintain a healthy weight by exercising and eating right. Other tips include drinking plenty of water and following an eating schedule.
Sun exposure. Frequent and excessive sun exposure, along with sunburns, can increase a person’s risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers.
What you can do: Stay safe in the sun by using protective clothing and sunscreen. Avoid excessive exposure, and know how your skin reacts to the sun. Perform regular self-exams and follow the ABCDEs to determine if a mark or mole could be something more serious.
Viruses and certain infections. The human papillomavirus virus (HPV) can cause cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. In fact, 99 percent of cervical cancer is caused by HPV; 70 to 80 percent of oropharyngeal cancers are caused by HPV. Hepatitis B is another example of a potentially cancer-causing virus, which increases the risk for liver cancer.
What you can do: Practice safe sex to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Get the HPV vaccine if you’re 26 years old or younger and learn about who should be vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Screening. Not all cancers can be found early, but there are some screening guidelines you can follow that can increase your chances of finding some cancers early — such as getting a regular mammogram if you’re a woman 40-years or older. It’s also important to get regular check-ups.
Alcohol. Alcohol is associated with a heightened risk of certain cancers, including liver, head and neck, esophageal, breast, and colon cancer. The risk rises with the amount of alcohol that is consumed.
What you can do: It is recommended that women should consume no more than one drink per day, and that men should have no more than two drinks a day.
Your family history. Most cancers are not inherited from our parents. However, there is a clear genetic susceptibility or inherited risk of cancer in some families. For example, inherited genetic conditions such as Lynch syndrome or Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, carry a higher risk of developing certain cancers.
What you can do: If you know you have a genetic susceptibility to cancer, you can undertake genetic testing to help clarify your risk and determine what cancers you are at increased risk for. Talk to your family and discuss your family history with your doctor.
- By now we all should have had at least two colonoscopic examinations and our third (and hopefully final one) coming up next year. An initial screening at age 50 and then a repeat after 10 years, if nothing was found the first time and you have no family history of colon cancer. Screening can stop between ages 75 and 80.
- A tetanus, diphtheria AND whooping cough booster (Tdap). The whooping cough component is important because some of us may have grandchildren under the age of one who are particularly vulnerable to whooping cough. This shot is good for 10 years.
- Try to get the shingles vaccine at this stage. Our immunity starts to fall after age 60 and shingles (herpes zoster) can become a problem. The Shingrix vaccine is available. It is a two shot deal. Two to four months apart.
- Get the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination when you turn 65 (but sooner if you are a smoker or diabetic). Start with the Prevnar-13 and one year later get the Pneumovax-23. If you received the Pneumovax-23 first, then just reverse the order. You can also forego the two shots and get a single Prevnar-20.
- Get an annual flu vaccination in the autumn/fall. At our age the high dose flu shot is indicated.
- If you are a diabetic, a smoker, have a high cholesterol or have high blood pressure, ask about getting an ultrasound of your abdomen to rule out the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
- While many of us have symptoms of an enlarged prostate (urinary frequency, slow diminished stream, night time urination, dribbling after completion) the current recommendation is NOT to have annual screening PSA blood tests done at our age. The risks of dealing with the results of an elevated PSA level outweigh the benefits of this test.
- We grew up in sunny South Africa and many now live in Australia, so our skin is at risk for cancerous changes. Have a thorough skin check by a dermatologist. Don't ignore changes to moles or the development of any new skin lesion.
The Seven Warning Signs of Cancer:
The American Cancer Society uses the word C-A-U-T-I-O-N to help recognize the seven early signs of cancer:
Change in bowel or bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lump in the breast, testicles, or elsewhere
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Obvious change in the size, color, shape, or thickness of a wart, mole, or mouth sore
Nagging cough or hoarseness
The following symptoms may also signal the presence of some types of cancer:
- Persistent headaches
- Unexplained loss of weight or loss of appetite
- Chronic pain in bones or any other areas of the body
- Persistent fatigue, nausea, or vomiting
- Persistent low-grade fever, either constant or intermittent
- Repeated infection
Stroke Warning Signs:
Sometimes symptoms of stroke develop gradually. But if you are having a stroke, you are more likely to have one or more sudden warning signs like these:
- Numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
- Confusion or trouble understanding other people
- Trouble speaking
- Trouble seeing with one or both eyes
- Trouble walking or staying balanced or coordinated
- Dizziness
- Severe headache that comes on for no known reason
Don't ignore these symptoms. Call your emergency service (911 in the USA) immediately and while waiting take a full strength aspirin.
Heart Attack Warning Symptoms:
- Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
- Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
- As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
Don't ignore these symptoms. Call your emergency service (911 in the USA) immediately and while waiting take a full strength aspirin.
What Causes Cancer? 9 Risk Factors to Know About
Dana Farber Cancer Institute :Published: April 10, 2018
About 1 in 3 people in the United States will get cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s usually not easy to tell why that cancer develops — but researchers have established some of the main factors that can increase or decrease your overall cancer risk.
Smoking and tobacco use. Smoking tobacco products is the number one risk factor for lung cancer — the longer and more frequently that one smokes, the higher the risk becomes. Smoking can also cause or contribute to cancers of the esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, cervix, colon, and rectum, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.
What you can do: Here is some advice on how to quit smoking. Pharmacotherapy, behavioral counseling, combination therapy, and even financial and material incentives have been proven to work for some smokers.
Too much red or processed meat. Processed meat is “carcinogenic to humans,” according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). The IARC also found that red meat is mainly linked to an increased risk for colorectal cancer, and had associations with pancreatic and prostate cancers.
What you can do: Reducing your red meat consumption to less than two servings per week is suggested. A typical plate of food should be 50 percent vegetables and fruits, 25 percent lean proteins, and 25 whole grains.
Exercise. Evidence shows that people who are physically active have a lower risk of developing colon, breast, and endometrial cancer. Research has also shown that people who exercise, even moderately, after cancer diagnosis also have a lower risk of recurrence for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer.
What you can do: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity, every week. That might not be possible for everyone – but some exercise is better than being inactive.
Obesity. Obesity has been linked to a higher risk of developing 13 different kinds of cancer, including, colorectal, endometrial, esophageal, pancreatic and breast cancers. The reasons for this are not completely clear, but some evidence suggests that losing weight if you are overweight or obese could lower your risk of developing cancer.
What you can do: Maintain a healthy weight by exercising and eating right. Other tips include drinking plenty of water and following an eating schedule.
Sun exposure. Frequent and excessive sun exposure, along with sunburns, can increase a person’s risk of developing melanoma and other skin cancers.
What you can do: Stay safe in the sun by using protective clothing and sunscreen. Avoid excessive exposure, and know how your skin reacts to the sun. Perform regular self-exams and follow the ABCDEs to determine if a mark or mole could be something more serious.
Viruses and certain infections. The human papillomavirus virus (HPV) can cause cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. In fact, 99 percent of cervical cancer is caused by HPV; 70 to 80 percent of oropharyngeal cancers are caused by HPV. Hepatitis B is another example of a potentially cancer-causing virus, which increases the risk for liver cancer.
What you can do: Practice safe sex to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. Get the HPV vaccine if you’re 26 years old or younger and learn about who should be vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Screening. Not all cancers can be found early, but there are some screening guidelines you can follow that can increase your chances of finding some cancers early — such as getting a regular mammogram if you’re a woman 40-years or older. It’s also important to get regular check-ups.
Alcohol. Alcohol is associated with a heightened risk of certain cancers, including liver, head and neck, esophageal, breast, and colon cancer. The risk rises with the amount of alcohol that is consumed.
What you can do: It is recommended that women should consume no more than one drink per day, and that men should have no more than two drinks a day.
Your family history. Most cancers are not inherited from our parents. However, there is a clear genetic susceptibility or inherited risk of cancer in some families. For example, inherited genetic conditions such as Lynch syndrome or Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, carry a higher risk of developing certain cancers.
What you can do: If you know you have a genetic susceptibility to cancer, you can undertake genetic testing to help clarify your risk and determine what cancers you are at increased risk for. Talk to your family and discuss your family history with your doctor.
SOME GOOD ADVICE FOR FOLKS OUR AGE...................
1. It’s time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it. Don’t just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard-earned capital. Warning: This is also a bad time for investments, even if it seems wonderful or fool-proof. They only bring problems and worries. This is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.
2. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren, and don’t feel bad spending your money on yourself. You’ve taken care of them for many years, and you’ve taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.
3. Keep a healthy life, without great physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well and get your sleep. It’s easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy. That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor, do tests even when you’re feeling well. Stay informed.
4. Always buy the best, most beautiful items for your significant other. The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day one of you will miss the other, and the money will not provide any comfort then, enjoy it together.
5. Don’t stress over the little things. You’ve already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don’t let the past drag you down and don’t let the future frighten you. Feel good in the now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.
6. Regardless of age, always keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor and remember: “A man is not old as long as he has intelligence and affection.”
7. Be proud, both inside and out. Don’t stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong.
8. Don’t lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own sense of style. There’s nothing worse than an older person trying to wear the current fashion among youngsters. You’ve developed your own sense of what looks good on you – keep it and be proud of it. It’s part of who you are.
9. ALWAYS stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, watch the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active email account and try to use some of those social networks. You’ll be surprised what old friends you’ll meet. Keeping in touch with what is going on and with the people you know is important at any age.
10. Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday’s wisdom still applies today.
11. Never use the phrase: “In my time.” Your time is now. As long as you’re alive, you are part of this time. You may have been younger, but you are still you now, having fun and enjoying life.
12. Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, it’ll rub off on you and your days will seem that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around.
13. Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children or grandchildren (if you have a financial choice, that is). Sure, being surrounded by family sounds great, but we all need our privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. If you’ve lost your partner (our deepest condolences), then find a person to move in with you and help out. Even then, do so only if you feel you really need the help or do not want to live alone.
14. Don’t abandon your hobbies. If you don’t have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, golf. You can paint, volunteer or just collect certain items. Find something you like and spend some real time having fun with it.
15. Even if you don’t feel like it, try to accept invitations. Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences. Try to go. Get out of the house, meet people you haven’t seen in a while, experience something new (or something old). But don’t get upset when you’re not invited. Some events are limited by resources, and not everyone can be hosted. The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Go to museums, go walk through a field. Get out there.
16. Be a conversationalist. Talk less and listen more. Some people go on and on about the past, not caring if their listeners are really interested. That’s a great way of reducing their desire to speak with you. Listen first and answer questions, but don’t go off into long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some good things to say as well.
17. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we’re all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not who you are, they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.
18. If you’ve been offended by someone – forgive them. If you’ve offended someone - apologize. Don’t drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad and bitter. It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said: “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Don’t take that poison. Forgive, forget and move on with your life.
19. If you have a strong belief, savor it. But don’t waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your beliefs and let that memory sway them.
20. Laugh. Laugh A LOT. Laugh at everything. Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to this age, never get to experience a full life. But you did. So what’s not to laugh about? Find the humor in your situation.
21. Take no notice of what others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking. They’ll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself and what you’ve achieved. Let them talk and don’t worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories and the life you’ve lived so far. There’s still much to be written, so get busy writing and don’t waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace and as happy as you can be!
2. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren, and don’t feel bad spending your money on yourself. You’ve taken care of them for many years, and you’ve taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.
3. Keep a healthy life, without great physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well and get your sleep. It’s easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy. That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor, do tests even when you’re feeling well. Stay informed.
4. Always buy the best, most beautiful items for your significant other. The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day one of you will miss the other, and the money will not provide any comfort then, enjoy it together.
5. Don’t stress over the little things. You’ve already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don’t let the past drag you down and don’t let the future frighten you. Feel good in the now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.
6. Regardless of age, always keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor and remember: “A man is not old as long as he has intelligence and affection.”
7. Be proud, both inside and out. Don’t stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong.
8. Don’t lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own sense of style. There’s nothing worse than an older person trying to wear the current fashion among youngsters. You’ve developed your own sense of what looks good on you – keep it and be proud of it. It’s part of who you are.
9. ALWAYS stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, watch the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active email account and try to use some of those social networks. You’ll be surprised what old friends you’ll meet. Keeping in touch with what is going on and with the people you know is important at any age.
10. Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday’s wisdom still applies today.
11. Never use the phrase: “In my time.” Your time is now. As long as you’re alive, you are part of this time. You may have been younger, but you are still you now, having fun and enjoying life.
12. Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, it’ll rub off on you and your days will seem that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around.
13. Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children or grandchildren (if you have a financial choice, that is). Sure, being surrounded by family sounds great, but we all need our privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. If you’ve lost your partner (our deepest condolences), then find a person to move in with you and help out. Even then, do so only if you feel you really need the help or do not want to live alone.
14. Don’t abandon your hobbies. If you don’t have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, golf. You can paint, volunteer or just collect certain items. Find something you like and spend some real time having fun with it.
15. Even if you don’t feel like it, try to accept invitations. Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences. Try to go. Get out of the house, meet people you haven’t seen in a while, experience something new (or something old). But don’t get upset when you’re not invited. Some events are limited by resources, and not everyone can be hosted. The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Go to museums, go walk through a field. Get out there.
16. Be a conversationalist. Talk less and listen more. Some people go on and on about the past, not caring if their listeners are really interested. That’s a great way of reducing their desire to speak with you. Listen first and answer questions, but don’t go off into long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some good things to say as well.
17. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we’re all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not who you are, they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.
18. If you’ve been offended by someone – forgive them. If you’ve offended someone - apologize. Don’t drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad and bitter. It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said: “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Don’t take that poison. Forgive, forget and move on with your life.
19. If you have a strong belief, savor it. But don’t waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your beliefs and let that memory sway them.
20. Laugh. Laugh A LOT. Laugh at everything. Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to this age, never get to experience a full life. But you did. So what’s not to laugh about? Find the humor in your situation.
21. Take no notice of what others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking. They’ll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself and what you’ve achieved. Let them talk and don’t worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories and the life you’ve lived so far. There’s still much to be written, so get busy writing and don’t waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace and as happy as you can be!
This was not written by me, but is worthy of sharing.
A friend who had crossed 70 & was heading towards 80 was asked what sort of changes he felt in himself?
The response:
1 After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.
2 I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
3 I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
4 I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.
5 I stopped telling the elderly that they've already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.
6 I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
7 I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.”
8 I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
9 I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.
10 I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.
11 I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
12 I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.
13 I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might be the last.
14 I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!
Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can't we practice this at any stage and age?
I borrowed this. I don't know who to credit it to, but thank you!
A friend who had crossed 70 & was heading towards 80 was asked what sort of changes he felt in himself?
The response:
1 After loving my parents, my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself.
2 I have realized that I am not “Atlas”. The world does not rest on my shoulders.
3 I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
4 I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am.
5 I stopped telling the elderly that they've already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past.
6 I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection.
7 I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You.”
8 I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances.
9 I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not know my worth, but I do.
10 I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race.
11 I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human.
12 I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone.
13 I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might be the last.
14 I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be!
Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can't we practice this at any stage and age?
I borrowed this. I don't know who to credit it to, but thank you!
My Soul Has A Hat
A poem by Mario de Andrade
I counted my years and realized that I have less time to live by than I have lived so far.
I feel like a child who won a pack of candies. At first he ate them with pleasure, but when he realized that there was little left, he began to taste them intensely.
I have no time for endless meetings where the statutes, rules, procedures, and internal regulations are discussed, knowing that nothing will be done.
I no longer have the patience to stand absurd people who, despite their chronological age, have not grown up.
My time is too short: I want the essence. My spirit is in a hurry. I do not have much candy in the package anymore.
I want to live next to humans, very realistic people who know how to laugh at their mistakes and who are not inflated by their own triumphs and who take responsibility for their actions. In this way, human dignity is defended and we live in truth and honesty.
It is the essentials that make life useful. I want to surround myself with people who know how to touch the hearts of those whom hard strokes of life have learned to grow with sweet touches of the soul.
Yes, I’m in a hurry. I’m in a hurry to live with the intensity that only maturity can give.
I do not intend to waste any of the remaining desserts. I am sure they will be exquisite, much more than those eaten so far.
My goal is to reach the end satisfied and at peace with my loved ones and my conscience.
We have two lives and the second begins when you realize you have only one.
A poem by Mario de Andrade
I counted my years and realized that I have less time to live by than I have lived so far.
I feel like a child who won a pack of candies. At first he ate them with pleasure, but when he realized that there was little left, he began to taste them intensely.
I have no time for endless meetings where the statutes, rules, procedures, and internal regulations are discussed, knowing that nothing will be done.
I no longer have the patience to stand absurd people who, despite their chronological age, have not grown up.
My time is too short: I want the essence. My spirit is in a hurry. I do not have much candy in the package anymore.
I want to live next to humans, very realistic people who know how to laugh at their mistakes and who are not inflated by their own triumphs and who take responsibility for their actions. In this way, human dignity is defended and we live in truth and honesty.
It is the essentials that make life useful. I want to surround myself with people who know how to touch the hearts of those whom hard strokes of life have learned to grow with sweet touches of the soul.
Yes, I’m in a hurry. I’m in a hurry to live with the intensity that only maturity can give.
I do not intend to waste any of the remaining desserts. I am sure they will be exquisite, much more than those eaten so far.
My goal is to reach the end satisfied and at peace with my loved ones and my conscience.
We have two lives and the second begins when you realize you have only one.