Many people (one in three) will develop cancer at some point in their lives. Fortunately, more and more people are recovering because the disease can be detected at a much earlier stage and treated better. It is especially important for former cancer patients to know how they can prevent the disease from returning.
Recommendations for the benefit of former cancer patients
Recommendations for people who have had cancer are also included in a scientific report published by the International World Cancer Research Fund called: ‘Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective ‘ .
The recommendations
The following recommendations were taken from the report of the International World Cancer Research Fund network (of which the World Cancer Research Fund is also a part):
- aim for a slim figure, but avoid being under weight;
- take at least half an hour of exercise every day;
- avoid drinks with sugar. Limit the consumption of high-calorie foods (especially foods high in added sugar, low in fiber, and high in fat);
- choose lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grain products and legumes. Vary as much as possible;
- limit the consumption of red meat (beef, pork and lamb). Avoid eating processed meat;
- limit the number of glasses of alcohol per day to 2 for men and 1 for women;
- limit the consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium);
- do not rely on nutritional supplements that protect against cancer;
- when cancer treatment has ended, follow cancer prevention recommendations.
With the aim of reducing the risk of cancer recurrence, the guidelines drawn up by the WKOF apply. In general, the same applies to former cancer patients as to any other person, namely that they adhere to these general guidelines as much as possible, i.e.:
- a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables;
- sufficient exercise;
- a healthy weight.
Power supply
Before and after treatment has been successfully completed, healthy eating is a difficult task for many cancer patients. Often both the appetite and the sense of taste have changed. However, a diet rich in vegetables, fruit and legumes helps to reduce the risk of recurrence of many types of cancer.
Remark
Little is known about the effect of specific products on the risk of cancer recurrence. Further research into this is needed.
Side effects of cancer treatment
Weight gain . The treatment of cancer with chemotherapy often leads to weight gain. However, this weight gain may also increase the risk of the disease returning;
Loss of muscle mass . Many treatment methods can lead to a loss of muscle mass, which in turn leads to a higher risk of osteoporosis (bone decalcification);
Extreme fatigue . Cancer treatment can lead to extreme fatigue, which can last long after treatment. The result is that (former) cancer patients can end up in a vicious circle. Because they feel so tired, they avoid physical exertion, which reduces their fitness and makes them tire even more quickly from activities.
Exercise
Exercise can help against the side effects of cancer treatment. Moreover, it increases the quality of life for most ex-cancer patients. This is because exercise can both increase self-confidence and reduce the risk of depression. Exercise can also break the vicious circle of fatigue. Former cancer patients who go to a gym often feel stronger and fitter. Visiting a gym may be a bit uncomfortable at first, because no one wants bystanders to see that they have had cancer. Yet self-confidence is growing quickly and there are even former cancer patients who try to get friends and acquaintances to go to the gym. Because physical activity will also improve their condition.
Line dancing
Line dancing comes from the United States, but this dancing has also become popular in the Netherlands. Although Line dancing is invariably associated with cowboy boots and cowboy hats, this is usually not noticeable. Often one sees no hats and only one or two pairs of cowboy boots. Groups of dancers often consist of ladies, but that does not mean that it is a women’s sport. The advantage of line dancing is that you don’t need a partner, so the gentlemen – when they are absent – will not be missed very much.
If you take a lesson, the dance teacher teaches a group a new dance each time, where the dance steps are first practiced slowly without music and only when everyone remembers the order correctly, the music is turned on . The dance teacher also indicates while dancing which step comes next. An experienced dancer soon knows what is meant by coaster step, shuffle or rock step.
Everyone can line dance: young and old, man and woman, sporty or less sporty. There are groups for 50+ people, but that doesn’t mean it’s all slow and lethargic. Some songs are smooth and that can be tiring for older participants. However, the longer someone participates, the easier it becomes.
Return of colon cancer
In the Netherlands, more than 11,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer every year. Fortunately, treatment methods are improving and more and more people are being cured of this cancer. There is a growing need for nutritional and lifestyle advice for people who have colon cancer or have been cured of it.
Wageningen University
At the University of Wageningen, a special WCRF Project Group led by Professor Ellen Kampman is conducting research into the connection between:
- body weight;
- diet;
- nutritional supplements;
- the recurrence or survival rates in colon cancer patients.
With this research, the researchers hope to contribute to reliable, scientifically based lifestyle advice for colon cancer patients and for people who have been cured of colon cancer.