Sky Lakes Medical Center | Live Smart | Summer 2018

Benefits of walking Here are some of the top reasons why you should add walking to your routine: w w Walking can help prevent some forms of cancer. In a study of more than 1 million people, regular physical activity was linked to reduced risks of breast, prostate and colorectal cancers, among others, as well as a reduced risk of recurrence of some cancers. w w Walking can help reduce symptoms after cancer. Studies among cancer survivors have shown that walking several times per week improves mood, energy level, sleep and physical functioning, both during and after treatment. w w Walking improves circulation. It also wards off heart disease, lowers resting heart rate and blood pressure, and strengthens the heart. Women who walked 30 minutes a day reduced their risk of stroke by 20 to 40 percent when they stepped up the pace. w w Walking helps prevent fractures. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of broken bones related to osteoporosis. A study of postmenopausal women by Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, found that 30 minutes of walking each day reduced their risk of hip fractures by 40 percent. w w Walking slows mental decline. A study from the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville found that men between the ages of 71 and 93 who walked more than a quarter of a mile per day had half the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, compared to those who walked less. w w Walking lightens mood. A California State University, Long Beach, study showed that the more steps people took during the day, the better their moods were. Why? Walking releases natural pain-killing endorphins to the body. Sources: Arthritis Foundation, National Cancer Institute Cancer support groups Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center support groups are held at the Sky Lakes Community Health Education Center, 2200 N. Eldorado Blvd., and are led by Sarah Gale, Oncology Social Worker. Call 541-274-2696 for details. Men’s group First Tuesday of each month, noon to 1 p.m. Women’s group Second Tuesday of each month, 4 to 5 p.m. Please RSVP. Caregiver and family group Third Tuesday of each month, 4 to 5 p.m. SkyLakes.org | LIVE smart 5 Join us What: Sunshine City Strollers walking groups When : Thursdays, 5:30 p.m . Where: The location and routes may vary; visit SkyLakes. org/ StepItUp or the Sky Lakes Facebook page for updates. Details: Call Sarah Gale at the Cancer Treatment Center at 541-274-2696 .