Certain lifestyle habits have significant repercussions on the life expectancy of people affected by cancer. For people affected by cancer, the priority is obviously to follow the recommendations of their oncologist to the letter on the most effective treatments for the disease.
In addition to these treatments, certain changes in lifestyle play a determining role in the chances of survival. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) recommends adopting a few lifestyle habits to improve the life expectancy of cancer survivors.
7 habits to reduce the risk of relapse
- Stay as close to a healthy weight as possible, that is, have a body mass index between 21 and 23. Obesity is replacing smoking as the leading cause of cancer.
- Be physically active at least 30 minutes a day. Regular physical activity has beneficial effects on overall health, not to mention its positive influence on fatigue, anxiety and depression, conditions that often affect cancer survivors. In addition, recent studies have shown that exercise significantly reduces the mortality of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Avoid carbonated drinks and energy-dense foods containing large amounts of sugar and fat (fast food).
- Consume plenty of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grain foods.
It is recommended to eat 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables, especially those that contain significant amounts of anti-cancer molecules (cabbage and garlic family, red fruits, green tea, turmeric, red wine, algae, mushrooms , probiotics). These foods can play a crucial role in secondary prevention by preventing the growth of residual tumors that have resisted treatment.
- Reduce the consumption of red meats (beef, lamb, pork) to about 500 grams per week, replacing it with meals based on fish (ideally fatty fish, rich in omega-3), eggs or vegetable proteins . In addition, completely avoid the consumption of deli meats, bad foods that increase the risk of cancer.
- For those who consume alcohol, favor red wine and limit consumption to 2 glasses for men and one glass for women.
- Limit the consumption of products preserved in salt (salted fish, for example) as well as those with a high salt content.
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