Seven Teachings to Health

 


Keeping your mind, body and spirit in healthy balance.

Incorporating traditional Aboriginal philosophies - bravery, honesty, love, humility, wisdom, truth and respect - helps to keep the body, mind and spirit in a healthy balance. You can take these steps to help reduce the risk of developing cancer as research continues to show that some cancers can be prevented.

Step 1. Don’t smoke.

Smoking causes about 30% of all cancer deaths in Canada and the incidence of smoking among Aboriginal peoples is far more than average. Be a non-smoker. If you are a smoker, quit if you are a non-smoker, avoid second-hand smoke. Bravery is demonstrated when using tobacco as the sacred medicine given to many Aboriginal communities.

Step 2. Eat healthy food.

Research suggests as much as one third of all cancers may be related to what we eat and drink. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruit everyday. Choose high fibre, lower fat foods. If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to one to two drinks a day. Honesty begins with us and is necessary in our diet to restore balance in our lives.

Step 3. Be active.

Most people know that regular exercise is necessary to remain healthy. Be active every day of your life. Unconditional Love is given to us through the simple opportunity of every breath. Physical activity allows your body to practice this unconditional love as Creation intended.

Step 4. Be sensible in the sun.

Protect yourself and your family from the sun. Reduce sun exposure. Check your skin regularly and report any changes to your doctor. Keep babies under one year old out of direct sun. Tanning beds and sunlamps are not safe. Humility in the presence of Grandfather Sun is necessary to protect ourselves against the strength of the Sun.

Step 5. Follow cancer screening guidelines.

Many kinds of cancers can be cured when they are found and treated early. One way to detect cancer early is to have regular screening tests that can often find cancer when it is still at an early stage. For women, discuss mammograms, Pap tests and breast exams with a health professional. For men, discuss testicular exams and prostate screening with a health professional. Both men and women should also discuss screening for colon and rectal cancers. Wisdom is the ability to find a healthy balance in our daily living. Attending to one’s personal health with a health professional is a wise choice.

Step 6. Report changes in your health.

Visit your doctor or dentist if you notice a change in your normal state of health (for example, sores that do not heal, a cough which goes on for more than two weeks or a change in bowel habits). Truth to oneself is speaking to a health professional when there are changes in your normal state of health.

Step 7. Use caution with hazardous materials.

Follow health and safety instructions both at home and at work when using, storing and disposing of hazardous materials. Respecting health and safety instructions at home and the workplace is having regard for you and others.

Let’s take a stand against cancer NOW!

When you want to know more about cancer or services available in your community,

you can contact the Canadian Cancer Society toll free at 1 888 939-3333,

Or by email at info@cis.cancer.ca or online at http://www.cancer.ca.

 

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