Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: An American Cancer Society Guide for Informed Choices

Abstract

Cancer survivors are often highly motivated to seek information about food choices, physical activity, and dietary supplement use to improve their treatment outcomes, quality of life, and survival. To address these concerns, the American Cancer Society (ACS) convened a group of experts in nutrition, physical activity, and cancer to evaluate the scientific evidence and best clinical practices related to optimal nutrition and physical activity after the diagnosis of cancer. This report summarizes their findings and is intended to present health care providers with the best possible information from which to help cancer survivors and their families make informed choices related to nutrition and physical activity. The report discusses nutrition and physical activity issues during the phases of cancer treatment and recovery, living after recovery from treatment, and living with advanced cancer; select nutrition and physical activity issues such as body weight, food choices, and food safety; issues related to select cancer sites; and common questions about diet, physical activity, and cancer survivorship. (CA Cancer

Fasting vs dietary restriction in cellular protection and cancer treatment: from model organisms to patients

“…According to the American Cancer Society, cancer patients receiving chemotherapy should increase calorie and protein intake (Doyle et al, 2006). Contrary to this dogma, many studies suggest that a 20-40% reduction in calorie intake protects the host against toxins and retards the growth of tumors (Moreschi, 1909;Tannenbaum, 1945;Hursting et al, 1994Hursting et al, , 2001Hursting et al, , 2003Fontana et al, 2001Fontana et al, , 2006Harper et al, 2006;Bonorden et al, 2009;Colman et al, 2009;Longo and Fontana, 2010).…”

Lifestyle changes and breast cancer prognosis: a review

“…and improving the quality of life (through a reduction of the risk on fatigue and depression) [71]. The American Cancer Society has summarized the best clinical practices related to optimal nutrition and physical activity during treatment and recovery, living after recovery from treatment and living with advanced cancer [72]. An overview of other resources available concerning information and health promotion to cancer survivors is given elsewhere [71].…”

The Pathways Study: a prospective study of breast cancer survivorship within Kaiser Permanente Northern California

“…These limitations are due to the fact that many such studies have not been specifically designed to address questions related to prognosis, thus creating a situation in which informed guidance is difficult. This dilemma has been noted in two recent reports by the American Cancer Society (ACS) [12] and the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research [6].…”