The American Cancer Society (ACS) has published guidelines geared towards cancer survivors on how they can take active measures to reduce their risk of disease recurrence.
There is nothing groundbreaking in these guidelines; in many instances they're no different than what the ACS has been saying for years and years. The difficult part isn't in the ACS publishing them, it's in the rest of us actually implementing them.
First, stop smoking. Or don't start. Smoking affects literally every organ system in the body, saving its worst for the cardiovascular system and respiratory system. The benefits to quitting can literally be immediate.
Second, be active. Moderate physical activity lowers the risk of developing cancer. No one can say for certain why, but the epidemiological evidence is overwhelming.
Third, eat more fruit, vegetables, and grains. This is the hardest one, believe it or not. People can quit smoking, they can take up working out, but getting them to change dietary habits is the absolute hardest one. People fail this one the most.
People who are recovering from cancers of the breast, prostate and colon have guidelines targeted to them:
- Limit foods high in calories
- Limit high-fat or high-sugar beverages
- Eat more low-cal fruit and veggies
- Add physical activity to your day
Finally, the cancer survivor's diet, no matter the cancer type, should:
- Be high in fruits, veggies and whole grains
- Feature fish and poultry over red meat and processed meat
- Feature healthy fat sources (olive oil and nuts) and not unhealthy fat sources (butter, processed snacks)
Will these guidelines keep you cancer-free? No promises. But according to the ACS this is what you can do to take some control over your fate with regard to cancer, and regaining control is an inviting prospect.
Source: ACS
