Cancer Survivors Gain Heart Health From Lifestyle Changes

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors that predispose individuals to cardiovascular disease. Therapeutic lifestyle changes, including increased physical activity, are recommended for the prevention and treatment of MetS. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity and MetS in Canada. The sample included 6406 men and 6475 women aged 18-64 y who were participants in the Canadian Heart Health Surveys (1986-1992). MetS was classified using criteria modified from the US National Cholesterol Education Program. Participants were deemed physically active if they were active at least once each week for at least 30 min, engaging in strenuous activity some of the time. The relationship between physical activity and MetS was assessed using logistic regression, with age, smoking, alcohol consumption, and income adequacy as covariates. A total of 14.4% of Canadians had MetS and 33.6% were physically active. The odds ratio for MetS was 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54-0.98; p < 0.05) for physically active vs. physically inactive participants. The corresponding odds ratios were 0.45 (95% CI: 0.29-0.69; p < 0.001) and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.44-1.02; p = 0.06) for men and women, respectively. In summary, physical activity was associated with lower odds of MetS, particularly in men. Further research is required to determine the effectiveness of physical activity in the treatment of MetS.Key words: metabolic syndrome, physical activity, Canadian Heart Health Surveys.

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Riding the Crest of the Teachable Moment: Promoting Long-Term Health After the Diagnosis of Cancer

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2005.01.230 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 23 (24) ◽

pp. 5814-5830 ◽

Cited By ~ 720

Author(s):

Wendy Demark-Wahnefried ◽

Noreen M. Aziz ◽

Julia H. Rowland ◽

Bernardine M. Pinto

Keyword(s):

Cancer Survivors ◽

Behavioral Interventions ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Functional Decline ◽

Adult Survivors ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Prostate Cancer Survivors ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

Purpose Cancer survivors are at increased risk for several comorbid conditions, and many seek lifestyle change to reduce dysfunction and improve long-term health. To better understand the impact of cancer on adult survivors' health and health behaviors, a review was conducted to determine (1) prevalent physical health conditions, (2) persistent lifestyle changes, and (3) outcomes of previous lifestyle interventions aimed at improving health within this population. Methods Relevant studies from 1966 and beyond were identified through MEDLINE and PubMed searches. Results Cancer survivors are at increased risk for progressive disease but also for second primaries, osteoporosis, obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and functional decline. To improve overall health, survivors frequently initiate diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes after diagnosis. However, those who are male, older, and less educated are less likely to adopt these changes. There also is selective uptake of messages, as evidenced by findings that only 25% to 42% of survivors consume adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables, and approximately 70% of breast and prostate cancer survivors are overweight or obese. Several behavioral interventions show promise for improving survivors' health-related outcomes. Oncologists can play a pivotal role in health promotion, yet only 20% provide such guidance. Conclusion With 64% of cancer patients surviving > 5 years beyond diagnosis, oncologists are challenged to expand their focus from acute care to managing the long-term health consequences of cancer. Although more research is needed, opportunities exist for oncologists to promote lifestyle changes that may improve the length and quality of life of their patients.

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From helplessness to self help: Breast cancer surviorship in India.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2017.35.5_suppl.208 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (5_suppl) ◽

pp. 208-208 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rebecca DeSouza ◽

Shona Milon Nag ◽

Rama Sivaram ◽

Anupama Dutt Mane

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Side Effects ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Support Group ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Social Stigma ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Social Health ◽

Annual Conference ◽

Breast Cancer Patients

208 Background: In The Indian Scenario, a diagnosis of cancer is accompanied with social stigma and emotional upheavals, especially in breast cancer patients. They are typically thinking: “I would be less of a woman,” “I don’t know if people understand me,” “I feel isolated from myself, my family and my friends,” “Would I be normal again?” “Do I know how to help myself?” or “What will happen in the future, to my kids, to my husband?” Methods: All of these concerns are not always addressed by the medical professions. To address these issues, the Indian Breast Cancer Survivors Conference was organized as an annual conference with an attendance of 200-250 breast cancer survivors from the state of Maharashtra, India. The conference would address the psychological, emotional and social distress experienced by the patients with an aim from living a longer life to living a better and fulfilled life. Results: The emphasis of the sessions were educational (with recent updates on the surgical, medical and radiation therapy aspects of breast cancer treatment), practical (emphasized important issues like side-effects of treatment, patient advocacy, complementary therapies, spirituality, lifestyle changes, etc.), and entertaining. The summary and outcomes of the last 5 annual survivorship conferences will be described and enumerated. Results of questionnaires administered during the last 2 conferences and addressing health behavior patterns of survivors will be presented. Conclusions: We can evaluate through post conference support group discussions and conference feedback, qualify patient psychological and social health as 1) Physical:There are side effects but I choose to go on; 2) Mental: There are times that I am low, depressed, anxious, scared, guilty, but this is my new normal; 3) Emotional:Little things upset me, angry quickly but I am dealing with it; 4)Spiritual:Moved away from bargaining with God to accepting, from rituals to spiritual; 5) Social:don’t hesitate to reach out for support and to support; and 5) Intellectual:Knowledge is power, so I have learned to ask, to question, and then to decide. Achieving psychological and social health is the effort of the patient, the treating team and the support group.

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