NCSF Blog

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to examine common questions concerning the devastating form of cancer. About 12% (1 in 8) women are expected to develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In 2017, an estimated 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the U.S alone. Symptoms of breast cancer can include a lump in the breast, bloody discharge from the nipple, extreme swelling, skin changes and/or changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast. Oftentimes breast cancer will not present with any symptoms – making regular screening very important. Consequent treatment depends on the stage of cancer; which may consist of chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery.

Considering breast cancer’s high prevalence and distressful effects, let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions concerning breast cancer risk and related issues.

Research published in Nature Cell Biology investigated a specific potential pathway by which obesity may increase the risk for breast cancer progression and metastasis (development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from the primary site of cancer).

There are various ways to load a given exercise or execute a given movement – successful trainers know how to choose the loading or movement pattern for each activity that best reflects the client’s training goal(s). Common loading patterns include, but are certainly not limited to: bilateral, unilateral, contralateral, ipsilateral, asymmetrical and unfamiliar.

Due to today’s deskbound culture and desire for anterior aesthetic development, exercise enthusiasts are more likely to perform forward sagittal and overhead pressing actions rather than pulls. Without complimentary pulling actions, this greatly increases the risk for shoulder injuries and long term postural deviations. Shoulder horizontal abduction and hyperextension often go by the way side.

This is not to say that some people do not enjoy pulling more than pressing, but most people can attest to the fact that it is easier to find an open pull-up bar at the gym as opposed to a bench press (especially on Mondays).

In recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month we are investigating the different lifestyle factors that can have a positive impact on your brain health and relative risk for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) later in life. Previously discussed are various dietary factors that may have an impact on one’s risk, summarized below.

In recognition of Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month we will examine the impact of controllable lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise and cognitive/social stimulation on your risk for Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease where brain cells degenerate and die, which destroys memory and other important mental functions. As more and more brain cells die, it leads to significant brain shrinkage.

A major goal among older adults is to maintain their independence and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Once daily tasks cannot be performed on one’s own, quality of life often begins to drastically fall. No one wants to rely on others to be dressed, bathed, get out of one’s favorite chair and get around town – so maintaining key elements of physical fitness such as muscular strength, power and endurance as well as balance, flexibility and coordination is crucial.

Obesity is still highly prevalent in the US – with 2016 state-by-state rates ranging from 20-36% – fitness professionals need to use every tool in their toolbox to provide beneficial exercise prescription and education for clients who need to lose significant weight. Obesity is directly associated with several debilitating diseases and early mortality; making it much more than an aesthetic issue. An individual looking to lose weight and keep off the pounds needs to engage in a comprehensive weight-loss strategy focused on increasing their metabolism.

Not all forms of inflammation are created alike - acute inflammation plays a central role in wound healing and immunological protection from infectious agents that can enter the body. Chronic, systemic inflammation can lead to various diseases and maladies including arthritis, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and even Alzheimer's.

According to one estimate, about 20% of adults in the US take glucosamine and about 10% take chondroitin. The cost of these and other non-vitamin supplements and herbal remedies is close to 15 billion dollars every year. These are popular supplements.