National Cancer Survivors Day 2020

Sunday, June 7, 2020, marks the 33rd annual National Cancer Survivors Day® Celebration of Life – the day set aside each year to recognize cancer survivors, raise awareness of the ongoing challenges cancer survivors face because of their disease, and celebrate life. With nearly 17 million people living with and beyond cancer in the U.S. today – and more than 32 million cancer survivors worldwide – everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by cancer. On Sunday, June 7, 2020, people around the world are coming together to acknowledge these cancer survivors, and to raise awareness of the challenges of cancer survivorship, as part of the 33rd annual National Cancer Survivors Day. National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual worldwide Celebration of Life that is held on the first Sunday in June. It is a day to recognize cancer survivors, raise awareness of the ongoing challenges cancer survivors face because of their disease, and – most importantly – celebrate life.

According to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, administrator for the celebration, “A ‘survivor’ is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.”

“When people hear the words ‘you have cancer,’ it can be very frightening,” says Foundation spokesperson, Laura Shipp. “But there is hope. Today’s cancer survivors are living longer, better quality lives than ever before. National Cancer Survivors Day® gives these survivors – and those who support them – a special day each year to celebrate life and to show the world that you can have a good life after a cancer diagnosis.

Due to COVID-19, many of the public events scheduled to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day® have been canceled. However, that does not mean that the celebration is canceled. You can connect with cancer survivors and supporters around the world on Sunday, June 7, by using the hashtag #NCSD2020 and following National Cancer Survivors Day on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. In addition to the National platform, the M Family Foundation located in Celebration, Florida will also be participating in a virtual contest to show their support of all cancer survivors. Head over to their Facebook page (facebook.com/MFamilyFoundation) for more details.

Head over to the M Family Foundation page to learn more!!

Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

Developed by the Committee on Obstetric Practice with the assistance of committee members Meredith L. Birsner, MD; and Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, MD, MSC.

In the modern era women are taking better control of their health and wellness through exercise in pregnancy and postpartum. Exercise, defined as physical activity consisting of planned, structured, and repetitive bodily movements done to improve one or more components of physical fitness, is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle, and obstetrician–gynecologists encourage their patients to continue or to commence exercise as an important component of optimal health. Women who habitually engaged in aerobic activity or who were physically active before pregnancy can continue these activities during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Observational studies of women who exercise during pregnancy have shown benefits such as decreased gestational diabetes mellitus, cesarean birth and operative vaginal delivery, and postpartum recovery time. Physical activity also can be an essential factor in the prevention of depressive disorders of women in the postpartum period. In the absence of obstetric or medical complications, physical activity in pregnancy is safe and desirable, and pregnant women should be encouraged to continue or to initiate safe physical activities.

Recommendations: Regular physical activity in all phases of life, including pregnancy, promotes health benefits. Pregnancy is an ideal time for maintaining or adopting a healthy lifestyle and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists makes the following recommendations:

• Physical activity and exercise in pregnancy are associated with minimal risks and have been shown to benefit most women, although some modification to exercise routines may be necessary because of normal anatomic and physiologic changes and fetal requirements.

• A thorough clinical evaluation should be conducted before recommending an exercise program to ensure that a patient does not have a medical reason to avoid exercise.

• Women with uncomplicated pregnancies should be encouraged to engage in aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises before, during, and after pregnancy.

Obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers will evaluate pregnant patients with medical or obstetric complications carefully before making recommendations on physical activity participation during pregnancy. As part of your obstetrical visits, our providers address all physical concerns and will make the best recommendations to keep mom and baby healthy!

For the full article from ACOG please click on the link below!

https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2020/03/acog-releases-updated-guidance-on-exercise-in-pregnancy-and-postpartum