9th Annual Conference

Self Care and Social Justice 3 Steps 4 Health: A start for everyone

We are cancer Patient Advocates, one of us is African-American, the other a proud part of the LGBTQIA rainbow. Both of us have used complementary and alternative therapies for healing from cancer.
Simple natural strategies for better health were developed that can aid any person in bettering their own health and that of their families. Awareness of this is part of the process. As patients we felt that the idea of 30-60 minutes of daily ‘vigorous’ physical exercise, was asking too much of newly diagnosed people (cancer). Step 1 is taking a walk. We do not state how far, how fast or how long, leaving this to the individual’s judgement. Clearly starting where each individual is able to, is best.
The idea of a complete dietary change was likewise seen as an overwhelming experience. Small steps seem easier to accomplish and that is what we suggest to present. Thus Step 2 is to eat one more fruit and one more vegetable daily. There are known food deserts and access to fresh fruit and vegetables varies in different communities, and this addresses that difficulty.
Stress reduction is the third step which we suggest is started in the most basic way – with the breath.
All of these ideas involve the person. We do not (yet) call upon the need for any outside actions. Of course these can also be seen as simply the first step toward better health. We believe it is a much better way to motivate people than to expect any newly diagnosed person with cancer to jump into a full-scale program. Of course this in no way stops anyone who does wish to do just that.

We are long-time Cancer Patient Advocates who have spoken out, spoken up and been speakers at other conferences. We serve on boards of directors and are active in the cancer Advocacy community. One of us is a teacher by profession.

nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, LGBTQ, African-American, Advocacy, Patient perspective

Presentation/Lecture with Discussion: present information and engage the learners in discussion about the material.

This session is appropriate for all audiences and skill levels