February is the month of love, home of Valentine’s Day and all matters of the heart. However, it is also National Cancer Prevention Month. In honor of this observance, local oncologists are urging others to focus a little love upon themselves by making a few lifestyle changes to help reduce their cancer risk.

“There are many factors that contribute to the development of cancer,” says Debra Freeman, M.D., oncologist at CyberKnife Centers of Tampa Bay. “Our genes, lifestyle and environment can all contribute to our risk level. However, making simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference.”

You Are What You Eat
To be healthier, you have to eat healthier. And while there is no guarantee that eating better will prevent cancer altogether, it will certainly help reduce your risk. One guideline is to reduce the amount of fat that you eat every day. While some fat – around 25 to 30 grams per day – is healthy, too much can lead to serious health issues, including cancer.

“High-fat diets can lead to obesity, which has been linked to increased risk of multiple cancers, including breast, colon and prostate,” says Freeman. Making healthier decisions in the grocery store and at restaurants may lead to reduced cancer risk in the long run.

The American Cancer Society also offers the following dietary guidelines to stay healthier and reduce the risk of certain cancers:
• Eat five to nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables. The more colorful the variety, the better.
• Eat high-fiber foods, such as whole grains and beans.
• Include a wide variety of foods in your diet, but eat them in moderation.
• Limit alcohol intake. Excessive alcohol use can lead to increased risk for liver, rectal, esophageal and other cancers.

Get Moving
Nearly one-third of annual cancer deaths in the United States can be attributed to diet and physical activity habits. So while eating well is certainly beneficial in reducing your risk, regular exercise is just as important. In order to get the most cancer-fighting benefit out of your exercise routine, at least 30 minutes of intentional exercise at least five days a week is recommended.

However, if the word “exercise” makes you cringe at the very thought of it, Freeman suggests that you think outside the box. “Many people do not associate exercise with fun. But there are many ways to get in the recommended 30 to 60 minutes and still enjoy it,” says Freeman. “Exercise doesn’t necessarily mean being stuck on a treadmill. Consider trying a team sport, joining a dance class or taking daily walks with a friend.”

Kick The Habit
It’s been said time and time again: don’t smoke. But it has been said for good reason, especially when it comes to reducing cancer risk. Tobacco use is one of the most significant risk factors that people can reduce.

“Smoking causes the most preventable deaths in the United States,” says Freeman. Quitting tobacco use decreases the chances of lung, mouth, esophageal and cervical cancers, among many others. While quitting isn’t easy, for both cancer prevention and your health in general, it is one of the best health decisions a person can make.

If you’re having trouble kicking the habit, Freeman suggests talking to your doctor. Together, you can come-up with the plan that will work best for you.

Practice Safe Sun
Not only is skin cancer one of the most common forms of cancer, it’s also one of the most preventable. In order to reduce your risk of becoming one of the over one million Americans diagnosed each year, Freeman offers some easy preventative measures.

“The best way to prevent skin cancer is by avoiding ultraviolet radiation, especially during the middle of the day,” says Freeman. “The sun is the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so if you have to be outside then, make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and reapply it often.”

Freeman also urges that tanning beds be avoided completely and that, when outside, stay in the shade as much as possible.

Find It Early
While many lifestyle changes can be made to greatly reduce cancer risk, one of the most important cancer prevention steps one can take is cancer screening. Screening tests not only detect cancer in its early stages; many of them, such as those for skin and cervical cancer, can find abnormal cellular changes before they become cancerous.

“When it comes to cancer prevention, it’s so important to take early detection seriously,” says Freeman. “It could, quite literally, save your life.”

About CyberKnife Centers of Tampa Bay
CyberKnife Centers of Tampa Bay was founded in 2008 when a group of radiation oncologists with extensive backgrounds and a combined 45 years of radiosurgical experience, opened the first CyberKnife Center in Tampa Bay, located on the campus of Town and Country Hospital. Drawing on their experience with CyberKnife in centers in Miami, Palm Beach and Naples and their expertise with other forms of radiosurgery, the group introduced this exciting new technology to central Florida.

CyberKnife Centers of Tampa Bay is owned and operated by Tampa Bay Radiosurgery Associates, LLC. With two freestanding facilities located in Tampa and Brandon, the staff at the outpatient centers is dedicated to providing image-guided radiosurgical treatments while understanding and upholding a standard of comfort for patients undergoing treatment. For More information call 813-884-7400 (Tampa) or 855-870-8276 (Brandon), or visit www.CyberKnifeTampaBay.com.

Judyth Piazza chats with Glenn Dowler, Planet Fitness, Vero Beach, Florida on The American Perspective Radio Program (Please click here to listen to audio interview)

The Judgement Free Zone®
As the most innovative health club brand in the United States, Planet Fitness is known for a lot of things ” our absurdly low prices, our Lunk™ Alarm, and most of all perhaps, for our Judgement Free Zone® philosophy, which means members can relax, get in shape, and have fun without being subjected to the hard-core, look-at-me attitude that exists in too many gyms.

Left to Right: Conner Pickering, Kim Nicklow, Amy Osteen (Photo by Judyth Piazza)

How different is Planet Fitness?
We don`t have any salespeople, and we don`t bother with all the extras like juice bars and childcare that drive up costs and can make a gym membership seem more like a car payment. Instead, we`ve boiled our business down to the things that you really want in a health club ” clean, stylish, hassle-free facilities that are filled with tons of brand-name cardio and strength equipment, and a lot of happy people. If you`re looking for a comfortable, friendly place to exercise, and like a great deal, then you`ll love Planet Fitness.

For More Information:
http://www.planetfitness.com/
Pre-Grand Opening Sale Going on Now!
1295 US Highway 1
Suite 3
(on the corner of 12th Street and US 1 in the Publix Shopping Center)
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Phone: 772.564.0234

Presale Hours
Monday – Friday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Club Hours When Open
Open 24 Hours Monday through Friday!
Open Monday at 5:00 AM until Friday at 9:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Judyth Piazza chats with John Basedow about 10 Tips for Nutrition Success (Click Here to Listen to Audio Interview)

John Basedow has achieved international recognition and created a media empire with Fitness Made Simple, which includes DVDs, CDs, supplements, and infomercials all aimed at raising awareness about the importance of making fitness a part of your life. From starting out in his parent`s basement to being seen on television sets across the country and deemed a pop culture icon,” John`s journey is a true rags to riches story. He`s been featured on numerous TV and radio shows as well as in print media including the Los Angeles Times, the National Examiner, and the New York Times.

John has appeared as a model in or has written articles for just about every major exercise magazine. He`s a regular guest on radio programs across the United States and is the star of a reality series, John Basedow TV, which is based on his life.

John helps out various charities including The American Heart Association and St. Jude Children`s Research Hospital and motivates others to follow their dreams with his popular Power to Change Your Body & Life Seminars nationwide.

Discover John Basedow`s secrets for getting the body you`ve always wanted

Fitness expert and media icon John Basedow`s body-transforming plan is literally Fitness Made Simple. After trying just about every fitness fad and gimmick with little success, John developed this multidimensional approach that is improving the bodies and lives of thousands of men and women, from teenagers to grandparents. Fitness Made Simple is not just about losing weight. It`s about changing your entire body composition so that you increase lean muscle mass and decrease body fat. This easy-to-follow program eliminates all the guesswork for building the body of your dreams with John`s comprehensive Fitness Triangle:

Nutrition: By concentrating on natural protein sources, healthy fats, and slow-digesting carbs, you`ll never be hungry, your junk food cravings will disappear, and fat will melt from your body.

Exercise: Utilizing a combination of cardiovascular and weight training workouts, you`ll look great, feel better, and strip away fat to reveal those six-pack abs!

Supplementation: Not all supplements are created equal. John shows you which fat loss and muscle building products can actually produce cosmetically significant results, rather than just false hope and a depleted bank account.

Plus, John tells his own inspiring story of how he took control of his body and life, while accumulating years of health and fitness wisdom along the way. His signature John-isms –helpful quotes sprinkled throughout this book–will keep you motivated to stick with your new fitness lifestyle.

www.fitnessmadesimple.com

The American Perspective is a cutting edge radio program that is full of inspiration and information which airs on News Talk. It’s intended to help people succeed in life. Each week the American Perspective features celebrity guests from around the nation such as Zig Ziglar, Maya Angelou, Yolanda King, Billy D. Williams, Tony Little, Mark Victor Hansen, Dean Koontz, Dave Ramsey and many many more.

“It’s the next generation of Inter-tainment”

For More Information About The American Perspective: www.thesop.org

The Diabetes Research Institute is joining the International Diabetes Federation, the United Nations and millions of concerned people around the world this Sunday, November 14, 2010, to recognize World Diabetes Day, the primary global awareness campaign for diabetes.

This year’s World Diabetes Day theme, Let’s Take Control of Diabetes. Now., focuses on diabetes education and prevention, urging all people in the diabetes community, from patients to healthcare providers to governments, to understand diabetes and take control of the disease.

While optimal management, education and prevention are critical components of diabetes care, the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), a recognized world leader in cure-focused research, is going beyond this year’s theme by promising to cure the millions of children and adults worldwide now living with diabetes. That message is particularly appropriate for World Diabetes Day, as global scientific collaboration is the cornerstone of the Diabetes Research Institute’s research philosophy.

“The Diabetes Research Institute and its worldwide Federation of collaborative centers are fully committed to finding a cure in the fastest and most efficient way possible. We will cure diabetes. This is not a prediction. It’s our promise,” says Dr. Camillo Ricordi, DRI scientific director, together with the Institute’s faculty and staff in a special video message honoring World Diabetes Day. The video can be viewed at

www.DiabetesResearch.org/WorldDiabetesDay2010 or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn1yqyHkzcY

The Diabetes Research Institute has changed the international research paradigm by embracing an open-door mindset, stressing that collaboration, rather than competition, leads to greater discoveries for people suffering with diabetes as well as a host of other diseases. As a testament to this collaborative commitment, the DRI established in 2006 the Diabetes Research Institute Federation, a formal, global alliance of researchers on every continent focused on curing diabetes as quickly as possible. An extension of the Diabetes Research Institute’s patient-centered strategy, the DRI Federation is helping to accelerate progress by eliminating regulatory, financial, institutional and political obstacles that may exist at any one center in a given country.

“The DRI Federation has already resulted in hundreds of transplants and pilot trials taking place in both Asia and South America that could not have been completed  in the same time frame in the United States,” says Dr. Ricordi in a video research update on the DRI’s website at www.DiabetesResearch.org/Diabetes2_0 . “When you have patients dying every five seconds, it is criminal to not use every resource available regardless of location. Going global is essential to fast tracking research for a cure.”

Those who want to help put an end to diabetes, can be part of the cure – literally – by participating in the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s online campaign at www.BePartoftheCure.org. The centerpiece of the campaign, which runs from November 1 – December 31, 2010, is a virtual mosaic that spells the word C-U-R-E, populated by the images of those affected by diabetes. With a minimum $10.00 donation, participants can upload a photo of their choice and submit a short story about how diabetes touches their life. The campaign sponsors, Animas and LifeScan, will match the first $25,000 in donations.

Diabetes currently affects more than 300 million people worldwide. A further 350 million are at high risk of developing diabetes and it is predicted that by 2030, close to half a billion people will live with diabetes worldwide. In December of 2006, the United Nations passed a landmark Resolution recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease. The Resolution designates World Diabetes Day as a United Nations Day to be observed every year starting in 2007.  The discovery of a universal cure for diabetes will save billions of dollars and, much more importantly, spare millions of people from immeasurable pain and suffering.

If you believe everything the news media puts out about the economy, business and Americans’ finances today, you probably have a fairly bleak outlook for the near future. Local news broadcasts foretell of business closings, foreclosures and falling stocks.

The picture of America may not be as bad as the media paints it. News media outlets have been twisting stories to raise ratings for generations. The old adage “if it bleeds, it leads” is a common phrase in news rooms. For instance, stories on the evening news about health and wellness are not very uplifting; but Americans are living longer today than generations past. Neither are prescription drug side effects as terrible as the media makes them out to be. The positive benefits of these medications far outweigh the side effects in most cases. Science has come a long way and American health has reaped the benefits along the way.

Many Americans are making great home buys at huge savings because of the foreclosure rates. Additionally, large numbers of workers are furthering their educations as a result of unsuccessful job searches. More people are returning to churches or finding alternative routes to spiritual guidance, building stronger communities and closer families out of new hardships.

These may not be the perfect scenarios found in the typical American dream, but they are some positive points and situations coming out of an economic downturn. America bounces back and fights to win. Americans are resilient people. They pull together in hard times and support one another during times of loss.

If more media broadcasts and printed news would find the positive points of view in these times of trouble, Americans may better be able to build their morale and pull themselves out of financial trouble.

There are millions of people in America who currently practice Pilates, and literally thousands of instructors teaching them how to do so.  One of the primary target demographics are well off businesspeople who lead an active lifestyle.  As such, more and more Pilates studios are trying to stay in the region of luxury hotels.  As one example, the Mark on Madison Avenue and 77th Street is just a pleasant five-block walk to Uptown Pilates on Madison and 72nd.  Uptown Pilates is just one of many new studios tactically positioning their business location to accommodate luxury oriented travelers.

The term “Pilates” refers to an exercise regimen developed by German-born Joseph Pilates. He suffered from several ailments as a child and overcame them through exercise. He moved to England in 1912 and was placed in an internment camp with other German nationals during World War I, and there began sharing his knowledge of exercise and its benefits. After the war Pilates worked well at rehabilitating returning veterans.  In 1926 Joseph Pilates came to the United States and taught the program until his death in 1967.  Since that time, the workout concept has blossomed.

Joseph Pilates started out with a series of floor exercises, and later added several pieces of equipment and more exercises for each piece. Some instructors have followed that precedent and added more aspects. Names of different parts of the Pilates regimen, as well as names of pieces of equipment, have changed over the years.  As a result, not all instructors present exactly the same version.

Uptown Pilates is just one of many studios opening up around Madison Avenue.  Many a luxury hotel New York is positioned close to several such locations. Each instructor is certified (some hold multiple certifications) and can probably trace their instructional “genealogy” directly to Joseph Pilates. There are also studios located on the west side of Manhattan and in Sag Harbor.

Judyth Piazza chats with Sabrina K. Carpenter on The American Perspective Radio Program (Click here to listen)

Local business owner and author, Sabrina K. Carpenter, has made quite the name for herself and her freelance writing business, Perfected Pen. Perfected Pen offers professional writing solutions for businesses and non-profits throughout the Treasure Coast, as well as across the country. Some of the high-demand services that are available include website content, press releases, newsletters, grants and so much more.

Recently, Sabrina added a new division to her thriving writing business. As a writer and author, I wanted to offer a simple way for new authors to get published while maintaining their creative control. Our manuscripts are our babies and deserve to be nurtured and treated with care. My new division, Perfected Pen Publishing, does just that! ” Perfected Pen Publishing also offers press releases, book reviews and marketing materials for both authors and businesses.

The recent launch of Perfected Pen Publishing was just the beginning. Sabrina now has her first book published, Betting on One Percent ” Every Roll of the Dice is Golden!, and it is available for sale at www.PerfectedPenPublishing.com. For a limited time, your copy will arrive autographed as well.

Betting on One Percent ” Every Roll of the Dice is Goldenis a dynamic poetry collection from author Sabrina K. Carpenter. Full of powerful themes and thought provoking content, Sabrina draws you into her world of cancer survival, love and world affairs.

Sabrina, a cancer survivor and mother of two boys, has spent her entire adult life defying odds. My cancer diagnosis at age 19 was the turning point for me. I battled this disease for five years and people don`t understand why I say it was one of the best things that happened to me. After that endeavor, nothing is impossible for me anymore. It`s an amazing freedom! ”

Sabrina also has a children`s book coming out this fall. It will be the first in a series entitled, The Adventures of Isaiah James, which cohesively blends learning, imagination and brilliant illustrations for young children.

For press inquiries, book signings and interviews, please contact Sabrina K. Carpenter at CustomerService@PerfectedPen.com.

Judyth Piazza chats with Maya Angelou, Pulitzer Prize-Nominated Poet – Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer 2010 is shaping up to be an exciting one. This 260-km bicycle ride benefits The Campbell Family Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital, one of the world’s leading cancer institutes. Taking place over two days, June 12-13, thousands of cyclists, including Neal Romanchych, 411 Canada Senior VP of sales, will raise money for cancer treatment, research and services at Princess Margaret Hospital. Neal Romanchych of 411 Canada hopes to raise $3200 which would go directly to Princess Margaret to aid in this awesome purpose, conquering cancer.

Since its inaugural run, the Ride to Conquer Cancer has become Canada’s most victorious and successful cycling event. In just two years over $28.5 million dollars has been raised by cyclists from outside countries, and Canadian states and provinces. There are several options for a cyclist regarding his or her route. The most popular, K200 Double-Century, is an awe-inspiring, scenic adventure from Toronto to Niagara falls. The M200 Classic Double-Century is a new route for those looking for a challenge; it will share the K200’s starting and finishing points, but is an extended route between the two. Lastly, if someone is unable to ride during this particular weekend, but would love to raise money, the Virtual Rider Program is a way to take part.

At Princess Margaret, it’s believed that cancer can be beaten with a great team of motivated people executing hopeful programs and using some of the most advanced technology. A team of top scientists and doctors are congregated at Princess Margaret and are searching for new discoveries hoping to aid in more positive outcomes for patients, not only locally, but all over the world. Right now, 40 percent of people will hear the words, “you have cancer,” in their lifetime. By supporting The Ride to Conquer Cancer, you can help make a difference for those who do.

As we write to you the Florida House of Representatives is preparing to vote on an amendment to ban private insurance plans from covering abortion. This amendment goes farther than any other law in the nation by banning ALL insurance plans sold in the state from providing insurance coverage for abortions, whether a plan is offered through an exchange established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or a plan that an individual or employer already holds. This amendment does not even offer the option of a rider or separate premium to purchase abortion coverage.

This means that the state of Florida is willing to do what the federal government promised not to do, taking away health care coverage that citizens in this state currently have now.

Call Representative Deborah Mayfield at (850) 488-0952 and urge them to oppose the abortion ban amendment to HB 885. Tell the person that answers the phone:
I urge Rep. Mayfield to oppose the abortion ban amendment to HB 885, filed by Reps. Gaetz, Dorworth and Plakon.

As filed, this amendment denies women the ability to obtain insurance coverage, even with their own private dollars, that includes abortion coverage.
The government should not dictate personal, private medical decisions, nor interfere with the private insurance market.

The legislature has the opportunity to prevent unintended pregnancies in Florida by supporting the Prevention First Act and Healthy Teens Act.
The Florida legislature has a history of interfering with the personal decisions of a woman and her doctor, while doing nothing to reduce the need for abortion by preventing unintended pregnancies.

Now more than ever we need to make a stand. We are asking all of our activists to phone their State Representative and ask them to vote against this dangerous amendment. Help us act before it is too late!

Thank you for your action,

After the earthquake that devastated the country of Haiti, countless private organizations and companies made an effort to reach out to the victims of the earthquake. One of the companies who have provided relief for these victims is Cydcor Limited.

Cydcor is known for being one of the best outsourcing companies that provide businesses with talented sales teams that handle face-to-face sales for the particular client. Founded in 1994, the company’s headquarters are located in Westlake Village, California.

The company worked side by side with Haiti Gospel Mission in order to deliver a total of 25 boxes that contained relief goods for the survivors. The boxes contained clothing, first-aid supplies and other items. Charity and outreach have always been important aspects of the company’s culture and the Haiti disaster has inspired members of its community to devote time and effort toward helping the victims.

Cydcor senior VP of Operations, Vera Quinn, spoke about the tragedy. He said that the earthquake tragedy in Haiti has been a very humbling event for all members of the Cydcor community. And although they are deeply saddened by the tragedy, they are still glad for the opportunity to send relief to the Haitians, who have lost everything in the quake. This is why the company launched a week-long collection of relief goods in order to fill the 25 relief boxes to be donated to Haiti.

There is no doubt that the organization of Haiti Gospel Mission or HGM has played a major role in the company’s donation. The partnership began thanks to one of the owners of Cydcor’s sales offices. Apparently, the independent owner was running his business alongside volunteering at the HGM. When the earthquake ravaged the country, the owner informed Cydcor headquarters about the emergency and the survivors’ needs.

Cydcor has invited the HGM to be part of its community and has made plans to stay in constant communication with the organization so more donations and assistance can be made in the future.