EEH: 5 steps to live healthy after cancer treatment

Once cancer treatment ends, a new road of survivorship lies ahead. Many cancer survivors are ready to put the experience behind them, but they often worry about cancer returning in the future.

Fear and anxiety are normal parts of cancer survivorship. June is National Cancer Survivor Month, a perfect time to learn about how to stay healthy after treatment ends.

Cancer survivors can take care of themselves by following their survivorship plan and by taking these steps:

1. Stay active and exercise regularly. Being physically active will help reduce anxiety, increase energy, improve self-esteem, and boost muscle strength and endurance. Choose an activity that is enjoyable, like walking with friends, joining a recreational sports team or taking part in a local Yoga or Zumba class. The American Cancer Society recommends adults exercise moderately for at least 150 minutes each week, or 20 minutes a day.
2. Eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight. Eat a varied diet that includes fruit and vegetables and avoid processed foods. Evidence shows a diet filled with a variety of plant-based foods, such as deeply colored fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans, can help reduce cancer risk. Fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber and low in fat and can help control weight.
3. Limit alcohol intake and don’t smoke. Smokers: make it a priority to quit. Not only does smoking cause cancer, but it can lead to getting cancer again. Every cigarette damages the lungs and cells in the body. Alcohol also raises the risk of developing mouth, throat, voice box and esophagus cancer. Research suggests people who use alcohol and tobacco together have a much greater risk of developing these cancers.
4. Stay in touch with doctors and have regular checkups. Early prevention is key. Regular physicals and screenings can find diseases like cancer before it has a chance to spread. Follow-up cancer care can also help identify changes in your health. Let the doctor know about symptoms, pain, problems that interfere with daily life, or changes in family history.
5. Find a support group. Stay connected with other cancer survivors by joining a support group. Cancer support groups help people cope with the emotional and educational aspects of cancer. Online support groups also enable cancer survivors to connect and share their experiences. Many hospitals and organizations offer community and disease-specific support groups. Ask your health care team for recommendations.

Learn more at www.eehealth.org/services/cancer.