Breakaway Mile Champion & cancer survivor Dee Williams leads the Breakaway Mile in style!

Breakaway from Cancer (BFC) is made up of four nonprofits, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the Cancer Support Community, the Patient Advocate Foundation and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, who offer a variety of resources for people touched by cancer. Each organization was highlighted during one of the four Breakaway Miles, a special walk to recognize cancer survivors worldwide. During each Breakaway Mile, survivors, caregivers, health care professionals and supporters joined Amgen and BFC in a walk that honored a designated cancer champion who has made a difference in the cancer community. Saturday was the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Breakaway Mile in Livermore, CA and we were proud to have cancer survivor Dee Williams as our Breakaway Champion. Dee is a twelve year breast cancer survivor who actively volunteers with several organizations that support others in their journey through cancer treatment and recovery. Read about all of the Breakaway Champions here.

Foundation Board Member & Amgen Director of Advocacy, Kathryn West @ the Breakaway from Cancer Tent.

All eight days of the Tour were packed with people, from avid cycling enthusiasts to curious locals. Many onlookers stood along the route with encouraging posters for their favorite riders, some came all the way from Europe and Australia to follow the Tour, while others were first-timers who wanted to witness this big, action-packed event in their community. Working together as a team, the BFC partners welcomed everyone to our BFC tent to provide cancer resources from prevention to survivorship. I had many wonderful conversations with people who shared their cancer story and were very appreciative of the work we are doing to Stop Cancer Before it Starts! Many of our visitors were surprised to learn there was so much you could do to prevent cancer, so it was great to see those visitors walk away with important health information, resources and a new outlook on taking better care of themselves and their family.

Thank you to California, Amgen, AEG, our BFC partners and to everyone who works toward saving lives through cancer prevention and early detection!

Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Carolyn (Bo) Aldige (center) w/ Amgen Exec. Director of Research, Dineli Wickramsinghe & Amgen VP & General Manager of Oncology, Bob Azelby.

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

To Make Ahead: Cover and refrigerate the salad and shrimp separately for up to 1 day. | Equipment: Six 8- to 10-inch skewers

Recipe Description:

Fresh herbs make all the difference in this light, summery bean salad that in turn makes an aromatic bed for the easy grilled shrimp. The shrimp and salad are wonderful together but you could also make them separately. Consider skewering and grilling scallops as another delicious option.

Recipe Ingredients:

1. 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2. 1/3 cup lemon juice
3. 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4. 2 tablespoons packed fresh oregano, minced
5. 2 tablespoons packed fresh sage, minced
6. 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
7. 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
8. 1/2 teaspoon salt
9. 2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, rinsed
10. 12 cherry tomatoes, quartered
11. 1 cup finely diced celery
12. 24 raw shrimp (21-25 per pound; see Note), peeled and deveined

Recipe Steps:

1. Combine lemon zest, lemon juice, oil, oregano, sage, chives, pepper and salt in a large bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the dressing in a small bowl. Add beans, tomatoes and celery to the large bowl; toss well.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high or place a grill pan over medium-high heat until hot.
3. Thread shrimp onto 6 skewers. (If using a grill pan, you don’t need to skewer the shrimp.)
4. Oil the grill rack (see Tip) or the grill pan. Grill the shrimp until pink and firm, turning once, about 4 minutes total. Serve the shrimp on the white bean salad, drizzled with the reserved dressing.

Recipe Tips & Notes:

1. Note: Both wild-caught and farm-raised shrimp can damage the surrounding ecosystems when not managed properly. Look for shrimp certified by an independent agency, such as Wild American Shrimp or Marine Stewardship Council. If you can’t find certified shrimp, choose wild-caught shrimp from North America—it’s more likely to be sustainably caught. Shrimp is usually sold by the number needed to make one pound. For example, “21-25 count” means there will be 21 to 25 shrimp in a pound. Size names, such as “large” or “extra large,” are not standardized. In recipes calling for a specific count, order by the count (or number) per pound to be sure you’re getting the size you want.
2. Tip: To oil a grill rack, oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

Recipe Nutrition:

Per serving: 212 calories; 8 g fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono); 95 mg cholesterol; 22 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 17 g protein; 8 g fiber; 891 mg sodium; 242 mg potassium

Nutrition Bonus: Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (25% daily value).

1 Carbohydrate Servings

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 1/2 lean meat, 1 1/2 fat

1. Create variety with interval training. Mixing up the workout with intervals of hard running at a fast speed, followed by recovery running at a slower pace relieves boredom and is also more beneficial for the body.
2. Walk or run on an incline. The treadmill allows you to mimic outdoor hills at variable inclines. Try increasing the incline every minute for 15 minutes followed by lowering the belt every two minutes for the second half of a 30 minute workout.
3. Don’t forget safety. Wear good-fitting running shoes, avoid using weights on the treadmill and don’t hold on to the machine.
4. Focus on the benefits of the treadmill. Treadmills allow you to control your own pace, track your mileage and focus on your form, breathing and visualization. Recognizing these advantages may help you develop a newfound appreciation for your treadmill workout.

Read the full Chicago Tribune article.

1. Products with SPFs below 15 must carry warnings that they only protect against sunburn and not skin aging or skin cancer.
2. Broad spectrum protection (those that block against damaging UVA and UVB rays) claims on sunscreens are now backed by testing.
3. The FDA now prohibits the labeling of sunscreen as “waterproof” or “sweat-proof”. Products can only say water-resistant and must indicate how often it should be reapplied if swimming or sweating.
4. Products must include additional measures for sun protection. Sunscreen will now carry labels stating they can lower one’s risk of skin cancer in combination with limiting time in the sun, wearing protective clothing and avoiding the sun during midday.

Overall, consumers should look for a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

Read the full USA Today article.

Read the full Health Day article.

Read the full LA Times article.

Regular exercise helps control weight and reduces the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and some types of cancer. According to the guidelines, adults should perform 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (i.e. brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity (i.e. jogging) as well as muscle-strengthening activities (i.e. lifting weights or doing push-ups) twice a week. The report also calls on local communities and workplaces to improve access to safe and convenient places, such as walking trails and sidewalks, to increase opportunities for adults to exercise.

Read the full CBS News article.

Servings: 1

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Description:

Here’s a super-quick all-in-one-skillet breakfast to start your day, loaded with hash browns, spinach, egg and cheese.

Recipe Ingredients:

1. 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
2. 1/2 cup frozen hash browns or precooked shredded potatoes (see Note)
3. 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach
4. 1 large egg
5. Pinch of salt
6. Pinch of freshly ground pepper
7. 2 tablespoons shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Recipe Steps:

1. Heat oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Layer hash browns and spinach into the pan. Crack egg on top and sprinkle with salt, pepper and cheese. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the hash browns are starting to brown on the bottom, the egg is set and the cheese is melted, 4 to 7 minutes.

Recipe Tips & Notes:

1. Ingredient note: Shredded cooked potatoes can be found in the refrigerated produce section or dairy section of most supermarkets.

Recipe Nutrition:

Per serving: 226 calories; 15 g fat (5 g sat, 7 g mono); 226 mg cholesterol; 12 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 13 g protein; 3 g fiber; 374 mg sodium; 352 mg potassium

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (191% daily value), Folate (35% dv), Calcium (23% dv), Iron (15% dv).

1 Carbohydrate Servings

Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 1/2 medium-fat meat, 1 fat

Amgen started the BFC initiative in 2005 to promote awareness of a variety of cancer prevention and survivorship resources. The BFC is comprised of four cancer-related nonprofits, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community (CSC), Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS). The BFC partners participate in the AToC race each year to distribute valuable resources and information at the Breakaway from Cancer booth and walk with cancer survivors and caregivers as part of the Breakaway Mile marches.

Prevent Cancer Foundation Staff, Cheryssa Jensen & Carolyn Schmidt travel w/ Breakaway from Cancer at the Amgen Tour of California

The AToC kicked off the race with festivities in Escondido, California on Friday, May 10. The day included an excellent gala celebration, a boa constrictor named Ruby from the San Diego Zoo and an introduction to all 16 teams competing in the race. Emcees Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, notable commentators for the Tour de France, introduced accomplished riders from around the globe including AToC winners, Tour de France finalists and Olympian medalists.

The first stage of the race began and ended in Escondido on Sunday where the cyclists competed in a 102.6 mile course containing an 11,132-feet elevation gain. The second stage’s course was even longer at 124.3 miles and ended in a steep climb toward the finish line in Palm Springs where it was a hot and dry 106 degrees. The eighth stage concludes the race on Sunday, May 19 in Santa Rosa. Follow this exciting tour at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com or on twitter @AmgenTourofCali or @BreakawayCancer.

Along with the four BFC partners, the Prevent Cancer Foundation will be traveling with the Breakaway from Cancer tent, as part of the Lifestyle Festival, located near the end of each stage. If you’re in California come visit us at the Breakaway from Cancer tent to receive a variety of free resources and fun giveaways like sunglasses, key chains and frisbees! I applaud these amazing athletes and the inspiring cancer survivors who are working as a team to Stop Cancer Before it Starts!

Myth: Indoor tanning is safer because it protects you from sunburn by giving you a base tan.  
Fact: There is no such thing as a “safe” or “healthy” tan. A tan is damaged skin and can put the body at risk for skin cancer. Studies show that melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, is the fastest-growing cancer and is being diagnosed in more and more young people, largely attributable to the use of tanning beds.

Myth: You can’t get sun damage on a cloudy day.
Fact: Your skin is at risk even when the sun’s not shinning. The sun’s ultra violet rays can actually break through the clouds. Even on cloudy days you should use sunscreen and lip balm with UVB and UVA protection with SPF 30 or more.

Myth: You need sunlight to get enough Vitamin D.
Fact: The safest way to get Vitamin D is through a healthy diet and supplements, not long hours in the sunlight. Foods such as milk, yogurt, salmon and tuna are all rich with this nutrient. Fifteen minutes a day of sun exposure for three days a week is all you need for adequate levels of Vitamin D.

Myth: People with darker skin can’t get skin cancer.
Fact: Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate – men and women of all ethnicities are at risk. Although darker-skinned people are less likely to get skin cancer than white people, they are typically more likely to die from the disease.

Myth: Eighty percent of sun damage occurs before the age of 18.
Fact: The majority of a person’s sun damage actually occurs later on in life. While many parents are vigilant with keeping their kids safe with sunscreen and protective clothing, they often don’t practice what they preach. It’s important to protect both your children and yourself from sun exposure whenever you are outdoors.

Remembering these sun safety facts can help you and your loved ones prevent sunburn and early signs of aging and most importantly reduce your risk of skin cancer. You can still have fun in the bright summer sun by following these simple steps:

1. Apply one ounce of sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before going outside
2. Wear protective clothing – sun glasses, hats and clothing made of tightly woven material with long sleeves
3. Avoid tanning beds and sun exposure when it’s the brightest
4. Routinely check your skin by following the ABCDE rule

Visit Save Your Skin to learn more about keeping your skin healthy year round.