Facing a Cancer Diagnosis? Exercise and Diet Could Make a Difference

Going back to basics might help some patients live longer or respond to therapy, data shows

By Brianna Abbott of The WSJ. Excerpts:

"A structured exercise program with a trainer helped colorectal cancer patients lower their risks of death and cancer recurrence after treatment"

"Patients in the program had a 37% lower risk of death after eight years, compared with patients who only received educational information on exercise."

[Peter Campbell, a cancer epidemiologist said] "“If this were a therapeutic, people would leave the building to go order this drug for their patients on Monday morning.”"

"eating a diet heavier in foods that research shows can increase inflammation was linked to worse survival overall in colorectal cancer patients compared with those who consumed less-inflammatory foods. Other researchers are presenting data on how higher-fiber diets could improve melanoma patients’ response to immune-boosting drugs."

"growing evidence is finding that they [more movement and a healthy diet] could also boost some cancer patients’ lifespans or responses to therapy." 

"eating an inflammation-linked diet heavier in processed meats, refined grains and sugary beverages was linked to worse survival from any cause, compared with a diet higher in leafy greens and drinks including coffee or tea."

"Patients who underwent the structured program had a 28% lower risk of their cancer coming back or developing a new cancer, the trial found. At eight years, 90% of the patients in the exercise program were alive, compared with 83% of the other patients. The program prevented one death for every 14 people who joined it"

"Some 77% of patients on the high-fiber diet responded to their immune-boosting treatment, compared with 29% in the control group."

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