How to Prolong Life after Cancer

Based on new recommendations from the American Cancer Society, by living a healthy lifestyle, individuals who have overcome cancer can extend their lives—especially those with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer. Colleen Doyle, the Cancer Society’s director of nutrition and physical activity, provides the keys to prolonging life after cancer:

1.     Eat right

a.       Lots of fruits

b.      Lots of vegetables

c.       Mainly whole grains

d.      Lean protein

2.     Exercise

a.       Walking or other aerobic activity most days of the week

3.     Maintain normal weight

a.       Within normal range



Photo Credit: Art Fitness Training

Cancer Survivors might face other conditions

Individuals with cancer have a greater chance of developing other cancers, and could possibly be more likely to develop chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis, said Nagi Kumar, Director of Cancer Chemoprevention at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla.

“Many survivors are not going to die of cancer anymore,” Kumar said. “They are going to have problems with obesity, metabolic syndrome and other diseases that are very common in the U.S. anyway, and this is a little bit more vulnerable group.”

“It’s really important to be obsessive about what they do for themselves,” Nagi said. “Give it your all: do yoga, get more flexible, eat right. Become very obsessive about what you’re putting in your body.”

Be sure to check out our blog on Wednesdays to get new ideas for how to eat right and stay healthy. This week's Health Tip was on the benefits of black beans and included a recipe for a spicy black bean burrito. To read it, click here.  

Resources

Go to Health Day: For more information about this article by Jenifer Goodwin

The U.S. National Cancer Institute: For more ways to live a healthy lifestyle that can help prevent cancer