Breast Cancer Awareness

October brings cooler weather, brown leaves, scary costumes and awareness to a serious disease: breast cancer.

Last weekend, Campus Rec hosted a 4 on 4 sand volleyball tournament in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Facts from nationalbreastcancer.org were displayed as an effort to educate people. The volleyball tournament, as well as other events like it, offer support for people affected by the disease.

Here are 7 common breast cancer myths & facts:

1. The Myth

Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

The Truth

If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. However, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are benign, or not cancerous. Sometimes women stay away from medical care because they fear what they might find. Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, and scheduling regular mammograms.

2. The Myth

Men do not get breast cancer.

The Truth

Quite the contrary. Each year it is estimated that approximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die. While this percentage is still small, men should also give themselves regular breast self-exams and note any changes to their physicians.

3. The Myth

A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.

The Truth

A mammogram, or X-ray of the breast, is one of the best tools available for the early detection of breast cancer. It CANNOT cause cancer to spread, nor can the pressure put on the breast from the mammogram. Do not let tales of other people's experiences keep you from having a mammogram. Base your decision on your physician's recommendation and be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

4. The Myth

Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get it.

The Truth

While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. If you have a mother, daughter, sister, or grandmother who had breast cancer, you should have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis, or starting at age 35.

5. The Myth

Breast cancer is contagious.

The Truth

You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else's body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in your own body. However, you can protect yourself by being aware of the risk factors and following an early detection plan.

6. The Myth

Knowing you have changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can help you prevent breast cancer.

The Truth

While alterations in these genes in men and women can predispose an individual to an increased risk of breast cancer, only 5% to 10% of patients actually have this mutation. This is not an absolute correlation. Like your age or having a family history of breast cancer, it's a factor you just can't control. But you can let your physician know, perform regular breast self-exams, and focus on the fact your chances of not having this disease

are greater than 90%.

7. The Myth

Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.

The Truth

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are not aware of any conclusive evidence linking the use of underarm antiperspirants or deodorants and the subsequent development of breast cancer.

Knowledge is power Lumberjacks.

YOUR Ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Eat This Not That!

Hey Lumberjacks! I hope you are making it through the first round of fall tests in one piece. I can always tell when it’s this time of year because people start wearing pajamas to class.

I’d like to propose a question. As your to-do list increases are you taking care of yourself? Or, are you letting yourself go in order to fulfill other needs?

I am guilty of putting other needs first lately, so I thought it would be a good time to give my fellow ‘Jacks a reminder.

One way that people tend to neglect their physical health is by going on fast food binges in stressful times. I could never tell anyone not to do this, because that would make me a hypocrite. I am however going to share a little secret my mom told me about. It’s called Eat This Not That! by David Zinczenko.

The genius in this book is that it tells the truth. Unlike the South Beach Diet, or Weight Watchers, Zinczenko is willing to acknowledge that Americans, especially in their twenties, will consume an abundance of fast food.

One way you can regain control of your wellness is by modeling the book and taking a few more minutes to decide what to eat. Just because fast food seems to be the most reasonable option, doesn’t mean that you have to get the worst thing on the menu.

Here is a calorie, fat and overall badness grading scale Zinczenko outlines:

A+ Chick-Fil-A -Not a single sandwich breaks the 500-calorie barrier.

A Subway -An impressive selection of 6-inch sandwiches with less than 400 calories each.

A- Boston Market -Its expansive menu of healthy sides and nutritionally reasonable three-piece chicken meals gives diners plenty of choices.

B+ Taco Bell -It's okay to "make a run for the border," as long as you limit yourself to just two tacos or a single burrito.

B Wendy's -Although calorically comparable to McDonald's, Wendy's edges out the Arches with less trans fat and a range of healthy sides.

B- McDonald's -Burgers are reasonable, but others, like pancake platters, send McDonald's numbers soaring.

C+ KFC -It's hard to have "fried" in your name and still make a decent grade. To halve

calories, order your chicken without skin.

C- Arby's -The array of sandwiches suffers from an abundance of creamy dressings,

spreads, and melted cheese sauce.

C- Burger King – Thousand calorie plus burgers like the Quad Stacker give this chain a

below-average score.

WOW! Chick-Fil-A is above Subway! Amazing.

This information is out there. It’s just a matter of taking the time to look or ask about it.

Think about YOU this weekend Lumberjacks. Make sure you are getting adequate rest, exercise and nutrients.

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Grab a partener and get to the Rock Wall!

Hello CAMPUS-RECers! Today is the first day of fall so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to introduce an up-and-coming CREC advocate, Erin Rose (sitting to my right in the polka-dot dress) for her first blog. Erin is an upper level interior design student with a lot of advice to give. Enjoy her guest entry.

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

With the present-day economic difficulties America is enduring, a social debate has arose about proper date etiquette. Does he pay? Does the person who asked pay? Or is it proper to split the bill? This can lead to some awkward situations.

I consider myself a traditional girl, but I would never expect a guy to pay each and every time we went out. Life is expensive these days! Dinner and a movie can cost anywhere from 30-50 dollars. Most of us starving students will never make more than the bare minimum while we’re in school.

So what’s the solution to this expensive and potentially awkward situation? Believe it or not, there are more options than staying in and doing nothing, or eating off the dollar menu at McDonalds.

Try using a resource that you already have access to, but don’t have to pay out of pocket for: the Student Rec Center. Plan a date with some kind of fun physical activity! The Rock Wall would be a great way for a couple to enjoy each others company. Climbing the Rock Wall is physically beneficial, light on the pocket and a great way to bond by building trust.

Exercising is proven to build positive energy between people, which can also be great for nourishing friendships. So what are you waiting for? Grab a partner and get to the Rock Wall!

The Rock Wall is open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Sunday from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

YOUR ticket to a healthier YOU- Erin

Which vitamins are right for YOU?

Vitamins are one of those subjects that frustrate me in life. There are so many different kinds! I know they are important, but how am I supposed to know which ones are right for me?

Throughout my life, I have received a variety of suggestions--most of which are pictured on the right. I have been recommended Vitamin B for energy, extra Iron for womanly blood loss, and Zinc to prevent infections and illnesses. But if I take three, plus a multivitamin, I get sick to my stomach.

And when I Google "vitamins" to find information, I am bombarded by ads from drug companies.

So, I set out to get through the clutter and find some answers once and for all.

Campus Recreation graduate assistant and personal trainer Steve Dooling says college students should at least take a daily multivitamin.

OK. One pill a day, I can do that.

However, according to the National Institutes of Health there are no FDA standards for which vitamins must be contained in a multi. So how do I know what to look for?

According to Jane Higdon, LPI research associate at Oregon State University, an expensive name brand does not always mean a quality product.

On her website (http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/f-w03/multi.html) she states:

“The nutrients found in standard multivitamin supplements play important roles in preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. A daily multivitamin supplement ensures an adequate intake of several micronutrients that are not always present in the diet in optimal amounts”

Prevents caner? Sounds good to me!

Hidgeon says to look for a multivitamin containing the following:

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Biotin

Calcium

Iron

Magnesium

Selenium

Great! Now I can go to the store with some knowledge, and finally make an informed decision for my optimal physical health.

Happy Friday Campus Recreation!

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Welcome Back for Fall 2011!

Hello Campus Recreation! Long time, no talk. I hope everyone had a great summer and is ready to dive into Fall 2011 full force.

New school year, new you right? If you are looking for ways to improve your life this semester, you have come to the right place. I will be posting once weekly with health advice, fitness tips and any other great ideas or funny stories I stumble upon. SO whether you are new to campus or you think you’ve got the college thing down, I hope to become a helpful resource.

Top Five Ways to be Successful this Semester:

5. Go to class. This may seem redundant, but I promise you will see results. In my experience, Must professors are concerned about much more than what you made on your mid-term. They care that you are actively learning and taking chargeof your education. So, wake up and smell the coffee! See you in class.

4. Stay organized.

Don’t be ashamed to care about your life. Go ahead and buy yourself a planner, or at least use your smart phone calendar. Don’t forget that college is hard! It’s OK to make lists and write down everything that must be done.

3. Look for ways to expand your skill set and further you in the direction of your chosen career path. Maybe for you it’s asking questions in class that you would normally shy away from. Or maybe it’s seeking a mentor in the field, or applying for related jobs and internships. Whatever works for you DO IT. If you apply yourself while you are in college, you will be ahead of competitors when you are out of college. Plus, SFA has too many resources not to use them. Try SFA Career services, Counseling Services, Student Activities Association, the Ralph Steen Library, or check out one of the many student organizations on campus. The opportunities here are endless.

2. Laugh. I cannot stress this one enough. Like I said: COLLEGE IS HARD. Make sure you are surrounding yourself with positive people that you can always count on a good laugh with. It’s the most natural and easy stress reliever!

1. Come to the Student Rec Center and get some exercise. Talk about endless opportunities! If you have an image of the Rec Center as a place to merely lift weights or run, please think again! The Rec Center offers Group Exercise classes four days a week, Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs, Wellness programs, including professional massages, and even an Outdoor Pursuits program area to take you on adventures! Don’t forget about Aquatics and the TWO pools you have access to (Rec and HPE). And if you are looking to change up your workout while staying indoors, don’t forget about the 34-foot rock wall managed by Outdoor Pursuits and the two upstairs racquetball courts.As an SFA student, you also have access to the HPE gym and other workout areas!

Time-challenged this semester? Here’s a tip:

Plan a physical activity around your schedule. Last week I knew I had an extra hour so I came to Campus Rec and took Yogaloties taught by Samantha Walker. She fused a perfect combination of both art forms accompanied by an engaging and intense soundtrack.

And you know what? It took away all of my first week gitters! I felt great and slept great that night.Where can you find all the information you need to

get going? The Rec Center of course! Printed publications can be found at the Welcome Desk kiosk, or in the Admin Office. Most current and updated information can be found at the Campus Rec website: www.sfasu.edu/campusrec so check there often! Also, here is a link to the Fall 2011 electronic only program guide which can always be found on the website: http://issuu.com/sfacampusrec/docs/fall_2011_program_guide.

Next week I will investigate vitamins. Which kind is right for YOU?

Until then,

YOUR ticket to Campus Rec- Steph

Empowerment tip #23: empower yourself INTELLECTUALLY by visiting Tabu Coffee

TGIF and the weekend is here.

But the question is, what to do? A whole weekend, no class, no 9-5 grind; just you and an abundance of free time. If that isn’t extraordinary I don’t know what is.

Contrary to popular belief, life is not all about work; so this is an opportunity to let loose and pursue those activities you normally don’t have time for.

Here are some suggestions for activities this weekend: start reading a new book, create your own blog or try your hand at drawing. There is a ton of stuff that you could do that is both intellectual and artistic.

Art and the intellectual is definitely a liberating aspect of life. Pablo Picasso said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” So embrace something new and different this weekend.

A great place to actually get into an intellectual mindset is Tabu Coffee, located on North Street.

The end of the semester is the time that I realize pursuing intellectual past times isn’t just for when you’re taking a class in college or a requirement at work. There is something fulfilling and relaxing about just reading a book, painting or writing a journal/blog. The act of making something out of nothing is, in a way, part of being human.

Tabu is a very eclectic and unique environment, especially here in Nacogdoches. It hosts live music on the weekends, displays art from local artists as well as art students and has an delicious array of coffee and food.

So go sit in a contemplative atmosphere this weekend or whenever and try your hand at something new. See where your mind takes you.

Tabu is open Monday-Sunday 6a.m.-12a.m. And when you drive by check out their sign, which lists all live music dates and times.

Also “Like” Tabu on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tabucoffee

Just Grindin’ the ax- Liza

Congratulations, graduates and closure

And so another semester passes.

It is clear that another semester has come to a close; everywhere you look there are parents and moving trailers scattered all over the SFA campus, which is the international college signal of either move-in or move-out.

While I sat in traffic on the way to work this afternoon, I watched the masses of people sweating, carrying boxes, laughing faces, somber expressions and tearful farewells. The seasons in our lives are bittersweet. It puts me in mind of the musical RENT and its song “seasons of love.” “How do you measure a year in the life?”

Looking back at this semester it is hard to imagine that another four months of life has passed by. I feel at times that a year is simply the blink of an eye, how is that possible? Another one of life’s mysterious I suppose.

So as this season comes to a close I would like to congratulate all SFA students. For those of you simply relieved to have passed your classes and most of all to those who are graduating, congratulations on a job well done! I hope your walk across that stage, the weight of a diploma in your hands and the flash of a camera is everything you’ve imagined it being, for the past four years.

Every successful step in life should be celebrated. So ring in summer with the people you love and celebrations that will be forever remembered.

Just grindin' the ax- Liza