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, dietary supplement use, and complementary nutritional therapies 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 on 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; selected nutritional and physical activity issues such as body weight, food choices, and complementary and alternative nutritional options; and selected issues related to breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, head and neck, and upper gastrointestinal cancers. In addition, handouts containing commonly asked questions and answers and a resource list are provided for survivors and families. Tables that grade the scientific evidence for benefit versus harm related to nutrition and physical activity for breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers are also included for this growing body of knowledge to provide guidance for informed decision making and to identify areas for future research. (CA Cancer J Clin 2003;53:268 -291.)

Survivors of childhood cancer and their guardians

“…34 Still, the finding that only a minority of these survivors of cancer consume adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables raises concern, especially given established guidelines for survivors that endorse increased fruit and vegetable consumption as a probable means of improving overall health. 35 An additional concern is our finding that a minority (32%) of these survivors of childhood cancer met guidelines established for calcium intake-a much lower percentage than reported in the general population where 88.9% of males and 54.1% of females (age range, 14 -18 years) meet reference levels. 36 Granted, osteoporosis and osteopenia are fairly prevalent in the general population.…”

Effect of exercise on the caloric intake of breast cancer patients undergoing treatment

“…After treatment, the maintenance of weight or safe weight reduction through exercise and healthy diet should be encouraged for those breast cancer survivors who gained more weight than expected. Moderate exercise, during and after treatment should be considered for the maintenance of lean muscle mass while avoiding excess body fat (32).…”

Association of Nutritional Status with Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors

“…Normal body mass index (BMI) at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is associated with optimal survival and high BMI has been associated with less favorable survival; a similar association may also be present for diet and breast cancer outcomes (Goodwin et al, 2003). It has been suggested that diets that minimize extremes in nutrient intake and a lifestyle that results in a normal BMI may be associated with the best breast cancer outcomes (Brown et al, 2003;Goodwin et al, 2003). In breast cancer patients, the risk of malnutrition is lower compared to patients with other cancers (Ravasco et al, 2003).…”