Cancer is a disease that doesn’t just affect the patient, but the people around them too. But the fear of cancer doesn’t leave the survivor even after defeating it. Every cancer survivor’s nightmare is that cancer might return to their lives.
Studies have proven that a survivor’s health habits, such as food, fitness, and lifestyle post-cancer treatments play a heavy role in determining the recurrence of cancer. Healthy habits that one might include could be more effective than even medication, with absolutely no negative side effects.
What is cancer recurrence?
Not all types of cancer come back but some of them may still do. When cancer comes back after a certain period, which varies from weeks, months, or years after the primary cancer treatment, it is called ‘recurrence’.
Cancer recurrence happens because some cancer cells could have been left behind in the body despite extensive treatment. These cells could be present in the same place where the cancer first originated or could be in any other part of the body. These cells remain dormant for some time but start multiplying and spreading eventually.
This dread of cancer rearing its ugly head is devastating. But it must be remembered that instead of waiting for cancer to come back, making specific lifestyle changes can not only reduce the risk of cancer recurrence but also boost the long-term survival rates.
- Eat a healthy diet containing primarily vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and supplement it with poultry and fish. Stay away from saturated fat, refined sugar, and high-fat dairy products
- Keeping a diet low in red meat and any kind of processed meat protects one against the progression of cancer, and cancer recurrence.
- Keeping one’s weight close to the average BMI (Body Mass Index) is also important. Studies have shown that people who have lost excess weight and kept it off following the cancer treatment have a lower recurrence risk.
Cancer recurrence doesn’t happen randomly. Years of research have proved that the lifestyle choices we make can make a world of difference.
Conclusion
Healthy habits after cancer treatment, such as eating a healthy diet, staying away from processed and red meat, and keeping weight close to the average BMI, can reduce the risk of cancer coming back and improve long-term survival rates. Making specific lifestyle changes can make a world of difference.
Instead of feeling powerless, one must gather their fighting spirit and choose to live life fearlessly.