Your Heart, My Heart, Our Corazones

Every year in the month of February the American Heart Association has the campaign, "Go Red Por Tu Corazon", to raise awareness on heart disease for Latinas and women in general.  


Heart disease is the number one killer of our mujeres.  Please raise awareness of the importance of taking care of your heart. We are all aware of the effects of breast cancer and cervical cancer to women, we need to reinforce the importance of good heart health also. To show support and raise awareness we hope that you will consider wearing RED on Friday, February 3, 2012.

Aspirin, Cervical Cancer and HIV Positive Women

A recent study published in the current issue of Cancer Prevention Research journal suggests that aspirin should be given a closer look to find out how it could potentially prevent cervical cancer developing in women that are HIV positive.

Via

This news is especially important to women in the Caribbean, Latin America and Africa where the rate of death from cervical cancer is at at an even higher disproportionate rate than in the US. Haiti which is reported to have the highest rate of invasive cervical cancer and one of the highest HIV infection rates in the Western Hemisphere, is also one of the poorest nations in the world. News of aspirin possibly being used as a preventative measure bring new hope for these women.

Haitian women in the study were found to have elevated levels of COX-2 and PGE2. Linking HIV which causes chronic inflammation and PGE2, which is elevated during inflammation, to cancer development in several types of tumors including cervical cancer. Cyclooxgenase (COX) is found naturally in our body. COX-2 is needed in limited quantities to induce pain but when produced out of control will cause constant pain. One of the most inexpensive and effective inhibitors for COX is aspirin.

The lead researcher of the study Dr. Daniel Fitzgerald, said " these young patients, many of whom were mothers and the sole support for their families - had worked hard to have their HIV controlled with antiviral therapy, only to develop and die from cervical cancer". Researchers now want to look at exactly what population of women that may benefit from daily use of aspirin or related inhibitors.

Women's Essential Health Screenings

There is that familiar old saying "A woman works is never done."  As women we have so many things to do, take care of the family, full time job, part-time job, some us go to school, and the list goes on and on.

We get so busy with all these tasks that we forget about ourselves.  One thing to remember is that there is NO reason why we should feel guilty if we think about ourselves first.

So, no matter how busy, every woman should make time for healthy habits, and that's not just exercising and eating right. There are seven routine health screenings that are essential for women.

More Butter Please!

Via

Let me start this post by saying I like Paula Deen. I've read her bio and was inspired by how a divorced mom of two with $200 to her name and suffering from agoraphobia (fear of being in public places) slowly built up this food empire you now see on the Food Network. There have been many late nights when I'm busy typing away and I'll hear a "hey y'all" coming from the TV. I'll look up and see that bright smile of hers that sucks me in, and next thing you know I'm salivating over whatever she's making. There she goes, throwing in one, two and even three sticks of butter into a single dish.

Then the damn butter hit the fan! Breaking News: Paula Deen Has Diabetes was plastered everywhere! The self-proclaimed "queen of butter" was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs when our bodies become resistant to insulin or when our pancreas stops producing enough insulin. Insulin helps regulate our blood sugar (glucose) and helps the glucose go from our bloodstream into our cells. Not enough insulin, or being insulin resistant means our cells won't get the energy they need to function. We don't know exactly why this happens, but we do know what puts us at risk for developing it like:

Are New Yorkers Living Longer?

Via 
New York City

New York City, the city never sleeps.  The song "New York, New York" sang by Frank Sinatra states,  "if I can make it there, I can make it anywhere."

Well, now we can add longevity to the city that never sleeps.  NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg states that New Yorkers are living longer.

"The city's latest health stats show that babies born in the city in 2009 have a record-high life expectancy of 80.6 years — an increase of 3 years since 2000. The rate is nearly 2 1/2 years higher than the most recently reported national average of 78.2 years," Bloomberg said.

Stats are also showing that life expectancy for 40 year-olds living in New York rose to 82 years from 79.5 years.

Eat (or Drink) This Now!

Via

We are almost halfway through January. Raise your hand if you've kept your New Year's resolutions.

Via

The majority of us want to eat better and exercise more, but without a firm plan or a support group in place, chances are we start to slowly lose motivation and fall back into our old habits.

I don't know about you, but I am not a morning person. I set two alarms, and then start playing a game of tag with the snooze button (I don't know why I think I need those extra 5 minutes, but I do). Then it's rush, rush, rush to put my gym clothes on and get out the door so I won't be late to my boot camp class. That leaves me with about 5-10 minutes to throw something down my throat that will give me enough energy to last a brutal workout.

A good friend told me that instead of going out on an empty stomach, I need to start making shakes which are quick and very convenient to make. She suggested I put kale or col rizada instead of just a protein powder mix alone because of the added benefits it has.

Wear Orange Day

Wear Orange Day is Wednesday, January 18th, 2012.

What is Wear Orange Day?


January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.  Cervical Cancer is the number two cancer killer for women worldwide.  This disease is almost always preventable and treatable if caught early.

Even though the official colors of Cervical Cancer is teal and white, Tamika and Friends, Inc. chose to add a little bit of  ORANGE to represent the organization.

Orange has been said to be a healing color. It has also been said that wearing orange during times of stress, or shock can help to balance your emotions. It can bring about the willingness to embrace new ideas with enjoyment.

Birthday wishes

My birthday is almost here (it's tomorrow)! Just like a new year, a birthday is a great time to make some changes. Here are some of the things I am going to focus on:

Make and keep my appointment with my GYN/Primary Care Doctor
January is cervical cancer awareness month. Birthday or not, we all need to make sure we take the time to schedule our annual checkups and screenings.....especially if we want to make it to our next birthday.

Learn to say "no".
Two letters, one syllable and yet it can be so hard to say this. Instead of working on everyone else's projects, I need to focus more on what I need to do first. Most of us are afraid of disappointing others, or seem like we can't handle it all, so we keep stretching ourselves thin. Repeat after me N-O. 

Reduce stress.
I'm going to try to meditate again. Last time I went a whole 2 minutes before my mind started thinking about all the other stuff I still had to do. 

Get more exercise.
We get older and that witch mother nature slows down our metabolism. I have been doing a bootcamp fitness class since Thanksgiving. Throughout the class I am saying every bad word in my head that would guarantee me a chancletazo, but I'm also losing weight and increasing my endurance. I am going to run in the next NYC Marathon because if P. Diddy/Puff Daddy can do it, then so can I!!!

Improve finances
I've read to put at least 10% of your income towards retirement. The more money you make, the more you should put away. Less splurges (sigh). Increase payments to debts like student loans as much as possible (double sigh).

Accept change in others.
Friendships and relationships will come and go in your life. It's a part of life. Be happy for the time you had with them and move on.

Take responsibility.
We are all responsible for our own happiness and that starts from within. 




Have a great weekend! 
xx Helen

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Courtesy of SCCC?LCCC

Happy New Year Everyone!!  A new beginning, the start of a new chapter in our lives.  Many of us have new resolutions, so lets focus and make those visions come alive.

Yes, We Can!!

Even though we both raise awareness on cervical cancer throughout the year, January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.  This cause is close to our hearts for several reasons.  One of the Mujeres is a cervical cancer survivor and Latina women are the most affected by this disease.   As Latinas we want to do our part, raise awareness by spreading the word, getting women empowered by knowledge and  most importantly, to get women to go screen themselves.

In the U.S. 12,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year. Latinas suffer from cervical cancer at an extreme rate compared to women of other racial/ethnic backgrounds.... Approximately 4,000 women die of cervical cancer annually with Latina deaths representing a proportion nearly 40% higher than that of non-Latino women. Screening tests may help to reduce as many as 80-85% of these deaths. However, Latinas’ screening rates are very low.  Mujeres, it is time for ACTION!!!!

What is Cervical Cancer?

• Cervical Cancer is cancer of the cervix.  The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that connects to the vagina.  Abnormal cells can develop in the lining of the cervix.  If not discovered early and treated, these abnormal cells can become precancerous and then cancer. 
• Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by certain types of a virus called the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV.
• HPV is very common and easily transmitted.
• By age 50, 80% of all women (and men) will have been positive for HPV at some point in their lives. 

 How do we Prevent Cervical Cancer?

• Educate Yourself - Knowledge is power.  Ask your doctor or your healthcare professional for more information.
• Screen Regularly - Have your Pap Test regularly and HPV test when recommended by you physician.
• Decrease your Chances - According to the CDC, the only way you can totally protect yourself against HPV is to avoid any sexual activity that involves genital contact.  You can decrease your chances by limiting the number of sexual partners and using a condom (although they are not completely effective because the virus can be present on areas of the skin not covered by the condom).
• Vaccinate - The HPV vaccines have been shown to significantly reduce the risk.  Vaccine (Gardacil) can be given to boys and girls between the ages of 9-26 years old.

Cervical Cancer is almost always preventable and treatable if found early.  Know the facts and stop the misinformation and the stigma associated with cervical cancer and HPV.  You will feel good knowing that you are doing all you can to improve your own health.

This disease not only affects you, but it affects the people around you and unfortunately, in many cases it takes your life.  No woman should die of cervical cancer!!

Call your doctor and schedule your appointment for your annual pap test TODAY!!! 

Local Cervical Cancer Screening Locations or Programs

We Honor the Women that Fought but Lost the Battle

THE HPV MEMORIAL WALL

Courtesy of  SCCC/LCCC

Early Detection and Prevention Save Lives!!!