Back To The Basics: What Helps When Facing A Cancer Diagnosis
With cancer rates rising in younger people, especially with colorectal cancer, more Americans are confronting the question: What can I do to help myself fight this disease? Increasing evidence shows that exercise and a healthy diet can be powerful tools in that battle.
Studies released at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s conference on Sunday found that colorectal cancer patients who did structured exercise programs and ate less-inflammatory diets had better outcomes than those who did not. Other researchers presented data suggesting that higher-fiber diets may improve melanoma patients’ responses to immune-boosting drugs.
MORE INTO THE DATA
The study on exercise, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, spanned more than a decade and is the first controlled trial to definitively show that physical activity can improve cancer-related survival.
On exercise: Patients who exercised had a 37% lower risk of death after eight years compared to those who only received educational materials.
The study: Nearly 900 patients from six countries, who had undergone surgery and chemotherapy for stage 3 or high-risk stage 2 colorectal cancer, were split into two groups: One received educational materials promoting physical activity and nutrition, while the other half were paired with certified exercise consultants — a hybrid of personal trainer and life coach — and aimed for 2½ hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week across three years.
Results: The exercise program cut cancer recurrence risk by 28%. After eight years, 90% of participants were alive, compared to 83% in the control group — preventing one death for every 14 people who joined.
On nutrition: Another study looked at 1,625 adults with stage 3 colon cancer. Those who had diets high in processed meats, refined grains and sugary drinks were 87% more likely to die from their disease than those in the study who ate less inflammatory diets. Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for colon cancer, prompting researchers to analyze whether diet influenced outcomes.
While it may seem obvious that movement and a healthy diet benefit overall health, mounting evidence suggests they may also improve cancer patients’ survival or treatment responses. With more people living longer with various cancers, improving quality of life has become a greater focus.
