Fitness: A Powerful Ally in Cancer’s Battle
Key Takeaways:
- Engaging in 1 to 3 hours of physical activity per week can potentially decrease the chances of cancer reappearing and improve the quality of life in individuals who’ve survived cancer.
- A plant-based diet has overall health benefits, but it doesn’t conclusively prevent cancer from recurring. It is important for individuals following a vegetarian diet to consume all necessary nutrients for their well-being.
- Standard multivitamins and mineral supplements can aid individuals in meeting their nutritional requirements when keeping a nutritious diet is challenging.
- Food safety is of utmost importance during treatment involving immunosuppression.
- Alcohol has been shown to affect the risk for new primary cancers in certain parts of the body.
Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight are instrumental in keeping cancer at bay after treatment, particularly for certain types of the disease, according to a recent update on nutrition and physical activity guidelines for those who’ve battled cancer.
Key Takeaways from the Report
Exercise Positively Impacts Survival Rates Engaging in 1 to 3 hours of physical activity per week can potentially decrease the chances of cancer reappearing and death from all causes. Not only does exercise reduce these risks, but it also improves aspects of quality of life such as fitness and fatigue in individuals who’ve survived cancer.
Vegetarian Diet and Health While a plant-based diet has demonstrated overall health benefits, it doesn’t conclusively prevent cancer from recurring. Those who adopt a vegetarian diet need to ensure they’re consuming all necessary nutrients for their well-being.
Role of Multivitamins and Supplements When individuals find it challenging to maintain a nutritious diet, standard multivitamins and mineral supplements containing 100% of the Daily Value can aid in meeting their nutritional requirements. However, caution is necessary, as some supplements, like those high in folic acid or antioxidants, could be detrimental during cancer treatment.
The Importance of Food Safety Food safety takes on an increased level of importance during a period when an individual is undergoing treatment that involves immunosuppression.
The Effects of Alcohol Alcohol has been demonstrated to affect the risk for new primary cancers in certain parts of the body.
The full details of the report were published in a recent issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
The Current Cancer Survival Scenario
In the United States, nearly two-thirds of cancer patients live beyond five years after their diagnosis. At any given point, there are over 10 million Americans who have battled cancer.
Further Information
For more resources on life after cancer treatment, you can visit the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
Please note that while our article provides valuable insights, it is always best to stay abreast with the latest developments on this topic. This article is intended as a record of resources to guide understanding.