The month of February is designated as National Cancer Prevention month. Unfortunately, cancer is a disease that is almost inevitable in the United States. At some point in the average American’s lifetime, either they or someone they know becomes cancer-stricken. One may think that once they have recovered from cancer, that they are immune to it. However, we can see from some of our very own teachers’ lives that this is not the case.
After talking with Mr. Tom Kostielney, he shared his father’s cancer journey. He shared about the lifestyle changes his father had to make to fight his third round of cancer, and how his father almost felt helpless, but despite that, he knew changes needed to be made. He adopted a new and healthier diet, a physical activity regimen, and most importantly an emphasis on the family aspect of his life. Through his father’s treatment, the relationship between his parents got even stronger despite the tough times and that good relationships and family ties are what he attributes to his father’s increased recovery time.
According to The American Cancer Society, in 2023 roughly two million people were diagnosed with cancer, while also taking the lives of about six hundred thousand others. Mr. Kostielney, after his father and other family members were diagnosed with cancer, reevaluated his lifestyle knowing he was likely to be predisposed to having cancer at some point in his life as well. He has focused on the importance of being not only physically but also spiritually healthy.
As we are now in National Cancer Prevention Month, let’s take a look at a few tips from the Mayo Clinic that can help lower the risk of having cancer: limit/ no tobacco usage, maintain a healthy diet, as well as a healthy weight, and be physically active, protect yourself from the sun, and seek regular medical care.
