On November 7th, Pacifica Senior Living communities nationwide will be recognizing National Cancer Awareness Day to bring attention to the many brave individuals fighting cancer and promote increased awareness about one of the world’s most prevalent diseases.
Cancer is a disease that has far reaching impact; nearly 2 million new diagnoses are made in the United States annually according to the National Cancer Institute. At Pacifica Senior Living, our caregivers extend total empathy and compassion to those impacted by cancer, from our residents with their own personal cancer story to those who have loved someone with the disease.
Scheduled to coincide with Nobel-prize winning cancer advocate Marie Curie, National Cancer Awareness Day is an opportunity for our residents to learn more about cancer: signs to look for, preventative lifestyle changes, and opportunities for free screenings to make early detection possible.
Detecting cancer early is the key to success for those battling the disease, and proper screening is one of the most effective ways to start treating cancer with the highest chances of recovery. A person’s unique genetics and health profile will determine the most valuable types of screening for them, including mammograms and pap smears for women and testicular screenings for men.
National Cancer Awareness Day gives our communities and staff an opportunity to discuss lifestyle factors that may lead to cancer, providing resources to help residents choose healthier options that could promote better long-term health (like helping residents quit smoking or live a more active lifestyle).
Common risk factors for cancer include:
- Getting older
- A family history of cancer (genetic factors)
- Tobacco use and smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Excessive alcohol use
- Exposure to viruses like HPV
- Exposure to certain chemicals or radiation
- Excessive exposure to the sun
Quitting tobacco use, losing weight, and living a more active lifestyle can help minimize a person’s chances of developing cancer. If a person has a genetic history of cancer, preventative measures like screenings are essential to early detection and treatment.
On National Cancer Awareness Day, we at Pacifica Senior Living will be uplifting the stories of our cancer survivors and creating a platform for them to share their journey with our staff and residents. We understand the unique challenges fighting cancer presents, and our caregivers are happy to help residents identify lifestyle changes they can make to reduce their risk of cancer.
Families are welcome to learn more about Pacifica Senior Living’s approach to cancer awareness by touring our facility and speaking with our staff. To schedule a tour, please chat with us below -- we look forward to meeting you and sharing our communities with you.
