Can Exercise Reduce the Risk of Cancer Recurrence?
Exercising, even at a moderate level, is one thing cancer survivors can do to lower the odds of cancer recurrence.
Exercising, even at a moderate level, is one thing cancer survivors can do to lower the odds of cancer recurrence.
A healthy, balanced diet is an important part of cancer treatment and survivorship. The right foods can promote strength and overall wellness in patients, as well as lower cancer risk. And adopting certain eating habits can also help combat common side effects of treatment, including nausea and weight loss. Here are some nutrition tips for … Read more
While not all cancers can be prevented, there are a number of strategies and techniques to help reduce cancer risk, even for those with inherited cancer genes. It’s important to start implementing healthful habits early in life, and as a parent, to educate kids about the importance of cancer prevention. However, it can be difficult … Read more
Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer may be able to lower the risk of the disease worsening, and improve their chances of survival, if they engage in moderate daily exercise, according to new research by Dana-Farber investigators. The results of the research, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Gastrointestinal Cancer Symposium, contradict the widespread … Read more
Cancer treatment can be debilitating, but there may be ways patients can better prepare themselves for the challenges to come. The benefits of exercise in helping cancer patients deal with fatigue, mood swings, and other issues experienced during and after treatment are well documented. Now physician-scientists at Dana-Farber and elsewhere are investigating whether a new … Read more
A new year often means making resolutions – and for many cancer patients, cancer survivors, and caregivers, making the decision to eat healthfully can help promote strength and overall good health. Learn More: What Do Dana-Farber Nutritionists Eat? The Best Foods and Diet for Cancer Treatment and Survivorship [Podcast] Grass-Fed Beef and Wild Fish: Hype or … Read more
Cancer researchers continue to explore why cancer occurs in the body – and how to stop it before it shows up. Tools like genetic testing, which looks for alterations, or mutations, in a person’s genes, can help determine whether a person is more likely to develop certain kinds of cancer. But researchers have also identified … Read more
The holidays can be a tricky time to stick to healthy eating goals, especially if baking is a part of your family’s traditions. Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, a senior nutritionist at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, shares a few simple ingredient changes that can help cut some of the fat, sugar, and calories out of … Read more
Stomach cancer treatment, which may include surgery to remove some or all of the stomach, often affects patients’ appetites and the way they digest food. Many patients may experience a poor appetite, weight loss, stomach pain, and feeling full early, which can make it difficult to adhere to their regular diet. Below, Dana-Farber nutritionists offer … Read more
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which for many means a meal of turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and more. It is important to enjoy this time with your family, but you can still stay on a healthy track while enjoying your favorite foods. Dana-Farber nutritionists share what they cook at Thanksgiving to put a healthy spin on … Read more
By Jen Cunningham Butler I began riding the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) in 1996 in honor of my mother, Sheila Driscoll Cunningham. Twenty years prior, in 1976, Mom became Founding President of The Friends of Sidney Farber Cancer Institute (now Dana-Farber), raising funds for cancer research and patient care. Mom was a gift shop volunteer with … Read more
Dana-Farber nutritionists help patients create and maintain healthy diets for all stages of treatment. They can provide meal plans, advice for managing treatment side effects, and tips for post-treatment wellness. But have you ever wondered what nutritionists like to eat? Here, Dana-Farber nutritionists share five of their favorite healthy breakfasts: 1.Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich Stacy Kennedy, … Read more
Scientific evidence that vitamin D can help lower the risk of cancer development, as well as the risk of metastasis or recurrence, has been mixed. But several new studies point toward such a connection for certain cancers. Numerous population-tracking studies over the years have shown that higher intake or blood levels of vitamin D are … Read more
Side effects from oral cancer and its treatment can make it challenging to eat essential nutrients that can maintain strength and support recovery. Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, a senior nutritionist at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, shares strategies for reaching your nutritional goals: Eat small meals often Have six to eight small meals or snacks … Read more
Medically reviewed by Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can affect how your taste buds interact with different flavors, changing the way you experience certain food. A recurring metallic taste while eating or drinking water is one of the most common taste changes reported by patients. Although this symptom typically subsides after treatment … Read more
This much is known: A sedentary lifestyle raises the risk of cancer, while physical activity – even moderate exercise – can reduce the risk not only of developing cancer but having a recurrence following treatment. What’s not so clear is exactly why. “It’s still a little unknown,” says Jeffrey Meyerhardt, MD, MPH, co-director of Dana-Farber’s … Read more
Good nutrition plays a key role in cancer prevention and survivorship. With the right pantry items, patients can help manage side effects of treatment and potentially lower risk of recurrence. In this Cancer Conversations podcast episode, Dana-Farber nutritionist Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, discusses the best diet for cancer patients, as well as tips for … Read more
During cancer treatment, patients may face side effects like fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and neuropathy. While some patients may seek additional medication to combat these symptoms, exercise is an excellent pill-free alternative. Dana-Farber exercise physiologist Nancy Campbell, MS, recently answered questions during a live chat on exercising during and after cancer treatment. Campbell discussed ways to … Read more
If you type “detox and cancer” into an Internet search engine, you’ll get an avalanche of websites, articles, products, patient testimonials, and practitioners claiming that cancer can be prevented or even cured by diets or “cleanses” that rid the body of “toxins.” Are these approaches safe? Are they effective? It’s not necessarily as straightforward as … Read more
Medically reviewed by Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD Colorectal cancer and its treatments can often impact the way the body digests foods, fluids and absorbs nutrients. For patients and survivors, incorporating healthy, plant-based foods and lean protein into your diet can help your body stay strong and nourished during and after treatment. Many of the side … Read more