Day
6 of the 2nd Annual Ovarian Cancer Awareness Yoga Challenge (09-15-2017)
Day 6 – Presented by Milena - @shiziks -
#Malasana or #YogiSquat
From a standing position with your feet a little wider than hip width
and your feet angled out slightly. Slowly bend your knees until you come to a
comfortable position with your hips lower than your knees. You can place a
bolster or block under your sit bones to relieve pressure on your knees, if
needed. Place your hands in prayer position with elbows pressing into the
insides of your knees and the knees pressing against your elbows. Try keeping
your spine lengthened and chest open. Remain in this position for a few breaths
and work your way up gradually to a few minutes. Please make sure to honor your body and only
do what you are comfortable with. If you are under a doctor’s care, please
check with them first before attempting any of the poses.
This pose helps to calm the mind. It also opens your hips & groin;
stretches your ankles, lower hamstrings, back and neck; tones your abdominal
muscles; helps with digestion; strengthens your metabolism; and keeps your
pelvic & hip joints healthy. PLEASE note if you are pregnant and 35 weeks or more DO NOT
do this pose as it may cause you to go into labor.
Please make
sure to honor your body and only do what is comfortable for you. The info
provided is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you are under a
doctor’s care please check with them first before doing any pose.
My outfit is from @pawpawyogawear
(Grey Tank Top & Grey Pigeon Pants); my #bootyshawl is
from @bootyshawl #StellaDraper
and my gorgeous and wonderful yoga mat is from @gurugrid
See @gurugrid for Day 7’s (Saturday, 9/16) pose...I cannot believe it will be the last day already! Just remember you have until 9/20 to submit all your poses!! You may refer to my page for information about the
poses, ovarian cancer awareness, and if you don’t know who is posting for the
day, come look at my page.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION...PLEASE READ:
An important dialogue happened today with myself and another yogi. So, first I want to share some
statistics for other countries. This information is from the International Agency for Research on Cancer/World
Health Organization, you can view more information from: http://eco.iarc.fr/EUCAN/CancerOne.aspx?Cancer=27&Gender=2
Secondly, the discussion was also about how many teens are encouraged to
receive the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine (worldwide)…it should be noted
that this vaccine is to help with the prevention of cervical, vaginal, and
vulvar cancers, not ovarian. (For males, it lowers penile cancer). It is a common misconception that the vaccine prevents all gynecological cancers, just like the idea that a Pap smear can detect ovarian cancer (it cannot). [Note: I am so grateful for all of the conversations that are happening as a result of this challenge. We truly are stronger together and I appreciate each and every one of you!]
The American Cancer Society (ACS) states, “Cervical cancer is a
leading cause of cancer deaths among women in low- and middle-income countries.
This is the case even though it is one of the most preventable and best understood types of cancer.
Cervical
cancer screening can prevent most cases by finding changes in cells in the
cervix early, before they become cancerous, so the abnormal cells can be
removed. There are also vaccines that help prevent infection with the types of
the human papilloma virus (HPV)
responsible for most cervical cancers worldwide” (ACS, January 16, 2015).
The biggest problem with ovarian cancer is that there is not a
diagnostic test to detect it in the early stages. Also compounding the problem
is that many of the symptoms are easily dismissed because they can be related
to non-life threatening issues. When in
doubt, please speak to a physician or health care provider. One of the best
things you can do is to keep a symptom log to help you have this discussion and
voice your concerns.
Here is a template for a symptom diary and below it, the link for you
to print it out.
Print the diary from this link: http://www.ovariancancerin.org/SymptomDiary.pdf
#AWARENESS
– Ovarian Cancer Resources. The may be useful whether you are
newly diagnosed, going through treatment, have a loved one diagnosed or just
want to learn more.
Ovarian Cancer Resources
Below is a good start for a list of organizations that are aimed at
helping people navigate through learning about ovarian cancer. It is by no means, a complete list, but a
really good place to start. Each website
is filled with great information, I encourage you to take some time and look
through a few.
American Cancer Society (ACS) @americancancersociety
Website: www.cancer.org
There are Cancer Information Specialists available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week to answer your questions at ACS. The number to call is: 800-227-2345
Bright Pink - Through prevention and early detection, we’re putting
breast and ovarian health Awareness in Action™.
Website: https://www.brightpink.org/
British Colombia’s Ovarian Cancer Research Team – OVACARE
Canadian Cancer Society
Website: http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/ovarian/signs-and-symptoms/?region=on
Cancer Society of New Zealand
Please note that you can tailor the website depending on what area of
NZ you live in. Cancer Information Helpline – New Zealand 0800 CANCER | 0800 226 237
CancerCare
Website: http://www.cancercare.org/
“A cancer diagnosis turns a person’s world upside down — emotionally,
physically and financially. CancerCare® can help.”
They provide: counseling,
support groups, connect education workshops, publications, financial assistance,
and connection to community programs.
Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry
Website: http://ovariancancer.com/
1-800-OVARIAN (1-800-682-7426)
FORCE – Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
Help Keep A Sister Alive @helpkeepasisteralive
Website: http://helpkeepasisteralive.org/
From their website:
“The HKASA vision is to serve as a one stop resource for patients,
survivors, caretakers and community members trying to prevent, understand,
and/or cope with cancers affecting women. With a primary focus on ovarian
cancer, HKASA started in 2011 as an online resource with cutting edge
information on drug shortages affecting cancer patients.
HKASA is a 501c3 non-profit organization, a partner
member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA), a member
of Scientist↔Survivor Program of American Association of Cancer
Research (AACR) and an Affiliated Health Professional patient
advocacy member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).”
HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation
Website: http://www.herafoundation.org/
“The mission of the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation is to
eliminate ovarian cancer by promoting Health, Empowerment, Research,
and Awareness.”
Johns Hopkins Ovarian Cancer Center of Excellence
“Johns Hopkins Ovarian Cancer Center of Excellence because they are
looking for the best possible treatment. We specialize in gynecologic cancers
including ovarian and cervical. Our center also offers screenings for high risk
women.” They have a multidisciplinary
approach, with care being focused on the whole person, not just the disease.
Kula for Karma @kulaforkarma
They have programs for cancer patients in the New Jersey/New
York/Connecticut “Tri-state” area and they are growing in Florida, Colorado,
and Washington state. Please check out
their website, they even have FREE meditations that you can download! There is a wealth of information on their
website, including the medical benefits of yoga and research studies
conducted. And if the name sounds
familiar, it is because they were one of the wonderful sponsors for this yoga
challenge last year! (My contact there had taken a hiatus and moved
out-of-state, so they weren’t able to be part of it this year.)
National Cancer Institute @ncivisualsonline
Website: www.cancer.gov
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) @nocc_national
Website: http://www.ovarian.org/
“Ovarian cancer is more than a woman’s disease®”
Their website contains a host of information, including local chapters,
community events, NOCC and outside resources that a patient and/or their family
may need. Some of the poses for the challenge were listed in an article
on NOCC's website.
Ovarian Cancer Australia
Website: https://ovariancancer.net.au/
A great website full of helpful links, support groups, and resources
for those living in Australia.
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) @ovariancancernationalalliance
Website: http://www.ovariancancer.org/
The website has a “Just Diagnosed” tab that can help guide a patient
and their family through being newly diagnosed and an online community that has
over 22,000 people who have been affected by ovarian cancer. http://www.ovariancancer.org/about/symptoms-of-ovarian-cancer-detection/
Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF)
Website: http://www.ocrf.org/
This exciting news was taken from the main page:
Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) and the Ovarian Cancer National
Alliance (OCNA) have led the way in advocacy, research and support for patients
and their families for over 22 years. As of January 2016, we are pleased to
announce we are joining together to form Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
Alliance (OCRFA), the largest global organization dedicated to advancing
ovarian cancer research while supporting women and their families.
There is a downloadable Ovarian Cancer Fact Sheet, available in
both English and Spanish on the site. The website also has a large variety of
awareness items that can be purchased.
Ovations for the Cure, Inc. (of Ovarian Cancer)
Website: http://www.ovationsforthecure.org/
Their mission
Ovations for the Cure, Inc. is
dedicated to the relentless pursuit of a cure for ovarian cancer.
1. Our education
programs focus on increasing
public awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer in an effort to improve
earlier detection of ovarian cancer and thus better outcomes for women who have
ovarian cancer.
2. Secondly, our patient programs
are created to give knowledge, hope and comfort to those women currently
diagnosed and living with ovarian cancer.
3. Ovations for the
Cure, Inc. also provides critical funding for
new and ongoing ovarian cancer research initiatives that focus on early
detection, prevention, developing more effective treatments for ovarian cancer,
and to cure ovarian cancer in our lifetime.
Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation
Website: http://www.sandyovarian.org/
Teal Diva
Website: http://www.tealdivanc.org/
Teal Toes
Website: http://www.tealtoes.org/welcome
The founder of this great organization, Carey Fitzmaurice, lost her
battle with ovarian cancer in June 2015.
She was always answering my requests for symptom cards that they provide
FREE of cost (you may have seen them in some of my posts). Their website has information about ovarian
cancer, raising awareness, and resource sites.
If you see someone with TEAL polish on their toes, it is probably
because of Carey’s foundation!
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