Aspirus | Aspire | Fall 2018

WHILE there are no guarantees that your children will enjoy perfect health as adults, there’s plenty you can do to lessen their future risk of cancer and other serious diseases, in part by teaching them lifelong healthy habits. Check out these six tips from Laura Sova, FNP, family medicine provider at Aspirus Medford Clinic: Laura Sova, FNP BONUSTIP: Schedule that checkup! Regular checkups are one way to help keep your kids healthy—now and in the future. To find a primary care provider for your child, visit aspirus.org or call the Aspirus Customer Contact Center at 800.847.4707 . HEALTHY HABITS for a healthy future 6 ways to help lower your kids’ risk of cancer as an adult Get their HPV shots. Vaccinating kids helps protect themas adults from several cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), including cervical and throat cancers. Both boys and girls should begin getting the HPV vaccine (it’s a series of shots) at age 11 or 12. But it’s not too late to get your kids caught up if they’vemissed any shots. Set the tone for a tobacco-free tomorrow. Most adult smokers started the habit when they were kids. Set firm, no-tobacco rules for your kids and look for opportunities to talk about the dangers of tobacco. Save them from sunburns. Painful sunburns canmake kids prone to skin cancer—includingmelanoma, the most deadly kind—in later years. For protection, have themalways wear sunscreen before heading outside and teach them to seek out shade (especially when the sun is high). Encourage a sun- savvy dress code (think hats, pants and long-sleeved shirts, when possible). And point out that indoor tanning also causes skin cancer. Get them into grains. Eating whole grains can help lower the risk of colorectal cancer. To help your kids get more, offer whole-wheat sandwich bread instead of refined white bread. Switch to brown rice, and give whole-wheat pastas a try too. Serve up a diet rich in fruits and veggies. In addition to helping control weight, plant-based foods contain nutrients and compounds that may offer disease protection. Include fruits and veggies with daily meals andmake them available as easy snacks. Promote active play. At least one hour of daily activity helps promote overall health and weight control. Among other risks, unwanted pounds can set the stage for cancer and other chronic diseases when kids become adults. Encourage your kids to step away from screens and be active outdoors. Better yet, set a good example and join themon a bike ride or a walk. 1 2 3 4 5 6 aspirus.org 11