Regular exercise and a healthy diet can increase your odds of surviving cancer and reduce your risk of recurrence

Regular physical activity and following a healthy diet can help cancer survivors increase their odds of long-term survival and reduce their chances of cancer returning, according to newly released guidelines for cancer survivors from the American Cancer Society

"From a cancer patient's perspective, these are things you can do for yourself and help yourself," said Kerry Courneya, a cancer researcher and professor in the College of Exercise and Recreation

According to Coursea, previous versions of the guidelines focused on improving health and quality of life, while the latest guidelines focus on cancer recurrence and survival, as well as life>

Specific information for specific cancers

The information provided in the guidelines is categorized by cancer type, enabling health care providers and cancer survivors to understand evidence-based nutrition or physical activity recommendations for their specific cancer type in many cases

"That's what oncologists think, it's what most cancer patients think," Courtneya said

Not all types of cancer have demonstrated a link between exercise and improved outcomes for cancer patients

Exercise has the potential to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence through a variety of mechanisms, explained Courneya, who holds the Canada Chair in Physical Activity and Cancer Research and a member of the Northern Alberta Cancer Institute

"We know that estrogen is associated with breast cancer growth and testosterone is associated with prostate cancer growth

Courneya noted that the guidance data is largely based on observational studies, so the next step will involve large randomized controlled trials

Courneya noted that people turn to the American Cancer Society for any accurate information related to cancer, so "if they issued guidelines saying that we believe physical activity and nutrition are important, that would affect a lot of cancer survivors

It may also have implications for cancer organizations and treatment centers, he added, encouraging them to incorporate a life>

"I think that's the hope to make sure this gets more attention and that the mission of these organizations is to help cancer survivors and to let cancer survivors know that these are important behaviors, in addition to life-saving medical treatments

Courtesy of the University of Alberta