Prevent Cancer Foundation Blog

Regular Screening - We are all busy – between work, kids, family and friends, schedules book up fast. For me, this year was particularly hectic due to an unusually tough political climate. My reelection campaign was an additional demand on top of the usual congressional schedule and family commitments. It would have been easy to postpone my routine annual medical checkup until after the November election or beyond. But I’m glad I didn’t. In August, I scheduled and kept the appointment for a regular examination by my doctor. I wasn’t having any special symptoms but knew I had a demanding few months ahead so decided to get it over with. During the checkup, my doctor felt a small lump on my neck and directed that I have my thyroid scanned. To be honest, I wasn’t exactly sure what a thyroid was. It is an organ at the base of the throat that makes hormones that help control heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight. I was sure a scan would show nothing but followed my doctor’s orders. An ultrasound showed the lump he felt during the exam was indeed nothing. However, the ultrasound also showed a second node that looked abnormal. I was sent for a biopsy that revealed ...

No Smoking / Regular Screening - I'm too busy to have cancer! With a full-time job, house, social life, dating, cycling and traveling, how do you put it all on pause for an illness? Back in 2007, I was burning the candle at both ends. I felt so tired and achy all of the time, so I stopped exercising because I didn't have the energy. It seemed to all spiral down after that. In August 2007, I kept having pains in my chest, ...

25th Anniversary - John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D. Director and CEO, Nevada Cancer Institute I know that the Foundation was established to honor the memory of Carolyn Aldige's (President and Founder) father and to strike back in some way against the disease, lung cancer, which took his life. Who would have imagined then how extraordinarily successful your efforts would be today?    Over the years there have been many advocacy groups that have arisen and a great deal of rhetoric expended, but through ...

Healthy Eating -   Try this fruit-and-nut-studded couscous salad alongside grilled salmon or chicken for supper.  It is also a healthy recipe on its own for a fresh  lunchbox treat.   4 servings, about 3/4 cup each | Active Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons orange juice 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 2 teaspoons finely chopped shallots 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2 cups cooked whole-wheat couscous 1 cup chopped nectarine 1 cup mixed fresh berries, such as blueberries and ...