New diet, exercise guidelines for cancer survivors

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In a guideline from the American Cancer Society, scientists give suggestions about diet and exercise to reduce the risk for recurrence and mortality among cancer survivors.

They provide evidence-based, cancer-specific recommendations for anthropometric parameters, physical activity, diet, and alcohol intake to reduce cancer recurrence and death.

For cancer survivors, the general recommendations include initiation of nutritional assessment and counseling as soon as possible after diagnosis, with the goal of preventing or resolving nutrient deficiencies, preserving muscle mass, and managing treatment-related side effects that may adversely impact nutritional status.

Assessment and counseling regarding physical activity should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis, with the goal of helping patients prepare for treatments, tolerate treatments, and manage treatment-related side effects.

To improve long-term health and increase the odds of survival, the researchers recommend avoiding obesity and maintaining or increasing muscle mass; engaging in regular physical activity, with consideration of issues such as type of cancer and treatment modalities; following a healthy eating pattern; and following general advice of the American Cancer Society to reduce the risk for new cancer.

The team encourages all survivors to work with their care team to develop a program tailored to their individual needs, especially if they are experiencing symptoms or side effects that interfere with their ability to eat well or be active.

If you care about cancer, please read studies about how to reduce pancreatic cancer spread by nearly 90%, and Vitamin D may benefit men with advanced cancer.

For more information about cancer, please see recent studies about new way to increase the longevity of cancer survivors, and results showing new way to supercharge cancer-fighting T cells.

The study was conducted by Cheryl L. Rock et al and published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

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