After breast cancer, lifestyle changes are recommended to improve healing and reduce the risk of relapse. Smoking cessation, stable and “normal” weight, balanced diet and physical activity are on the menus of patients. According to the results of a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journalsport would be the most effective drug to promote remission and avoid the risk of recurrence of breast cancer.
Researchers at the Odette Cancer Center Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in Canada conducted a meta-analysis of 67 studies to understand the impact of lifestyle changes in women affected by breast cancer on their risk of recurrence, considering that current information is often contradictory.
Change your lifestyle to improve your chances of survival
The results of this large survey showed that physical activity reduces the risk of death by approximately 40% with a rhythm of 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of high intensity exercise per week, as well as 2 to 3 weekly strength training sessions.
The researchers analyzed weight maintenance and observed that weight gain of more than 10% can reduce survival by 17%, but the evidence remains weak. There is no link between a weight gain of less than 10% and poor survival.
But, the researchers point out that a stable weight is the key to good health and that obesity may increase risk of aggressive cancer.
Tobacco is one of the causes of cancer and heart disease. continue to smoke after a diagnosis of breast cancer leads to a 72% increased risk of death.
According to the researchers, there are few conclusive data on the impact of alcohol consumption on breast cancer outcomes, but they point out that reducing its alcohol consumption consumption of less than 1 unit per day reduces the risk of recurrence.
“While these recommendations are not a silver bullet for all women with breast cancer, making positive lifestyle changes can also be psychologically beneficial for patients as the feeling of loss of control is the one of the greatest challenges in diagnosing cancer,” write the study authors.
Fuzzy evidence on reduced survival
Balanced food and a balanced dietis essential for our overall health. On the other hand, no study provides real evidence on the effects of diet and the risk of recurrence or death. It would also be necessary, according to Canadian researchers, to confirm that vitamin C supplementation can reduce mortality from breast cancer and that vitamin D supplementation improves the bone health of patients.
Eat better to live longer in good health
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