Cancer survivor’s smart lifestyle choices: live longer, feel better
More than 15.5 million Americans are cancer survivors — including 3.6 million women treated for breast cancer and 1.3 million for gynecological cancers; 3.3 million men treated for prostate cancer; 1.5 million folks treated for colorectal cancer; and another 1.2 million for melanoma. With advances in detection and treatment, that number is growing every year. In fact, by 2026, it’s projected that the number will increase by 31 percent, to 20.3 million folks. We are happy if you or a loved one is fortunate enough to count yourself as a cancer survivor; now it’s time to make a commitment to staying healthy and cancer-free.
Extensive studies reveal that making smart lifestyle choices can help survivors regain their health and prevent recurrence. According to the American Cancer Society, there are great benefits for longevity and quality of life if cancer survivors adopt healthful nutrition, regular exercise and weight management.
Nutrition and Weight Management
It’s known that being overweight or obese increases the risk for developing various cancers, including breast cancer in postmenopausal women, and cancers of the colon, rectum, endometrium, esophagus, pancreas and kidney — and likely the gallbladder and even the cervix, liver and ovary, plus multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and aggressive prostate cancer. Ever more research indicates that being overweight or obese also increases the risk of recurrence.
First step: