The benefits of nutrition and physical activity for cancer survivors

Cancer survivors may benefit from lifestyle interventions which can mitigate their increased risk of other health problems after a diagnosis of cancer, including heart disease, diabetes and functional impairment. There is emerging evidence that weight management and physical activity will positively impact on key outcomes measures for cancer survivors; including quality of life, cancer recurrence and survival rates. Although dietary supplement use is very common among cancer survivors, there are very few studies documenting the effect nutritional supplements have on cancer recurrence and survival. Overall, lifestyle interventions have the potential to improve the health and wellbeing of cancer survivors, in particular for women with breast cancer. Key recommendations for cancer survivors include: • maintaining a healthy body weight; • being physically active; • eating more vegetables and fruit; and • limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption. These recommendations are consistent with evidence-based advice on reducing the risk of cancer and with national dietary recommendations to promote general health and need to be considered in the context of a cancer survivor’s individual health and social circumstances. Further research is required to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of specific lifestyle interventions designed for breast cancer survivors, as well as for survivors of other forms of cancer.