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New 2011 edition  Read foreword by Paula Radcliffe

This section offers practical lifestyle guidance to reduce the risks of cancer, improve well-being and reduce the risks of treatment. The background evidence is based on well conducted international research (evidence sources) which leaves no doubt that what we choose to do and don't do to our bodies can influence our future health in a number of ways:

  Reduce the risk of developing cancer
  Reduce the risk of other major illnesses
  Reduces risks and side effects of cancer treatments
  Speed up recovery after treatments
  Reduce  the chances of cancer returning

The factors which influence the risk of developing cancer and those which influence its relapse are similar. These have been summarised in the sections "What to do more of" and "what to do less of" below. The lifestyle strategies which can reduce risks and help you cope with side effects are listed in the individual headings below. They have been split into strategies to help with risks and side effects during cancer treatments and those which help speed up recovery and help the long term risks and side effects. 

Other benefits of a health lifestyle

There are now numerous reports of well conducted studies which show how self help strategies and substantially reduce the risk of cancer and the consequences of treatments. The table below lists common symptoms which can trouble individuals after cancer and link to pages which describe the relevant self help strategy:

Side effects influenced by lifestyle and self help strategies:
During treatment:	After treatment (long term):
Fatigue and tiredness Weight loss Weight gain Hand foot syndrome Poor appetite Sickness and vomiting Diarrhoea  Constipation Indigestion and heart burn Deep/superficial vein thrombosis Skin care Hair loss Sleeping Healthy mind	Psychological well-being Post treatment fatigue Incontinence   Bowel adhesions Constipation  Rectal damage   Breast tenderness   Sexual function   Hot flushes Bone health   Second cancers   Skin quality and tone Brain power

 

 

Other lifestyle issues:

• Financial issues after cancer

• Traveling and cancer

• Holiday insurance

• Bereavement

• The strain of caring

• Tips to deal with a stoma

• Lifestyle and aromatase inhibitors

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When to consider a lifestyle initiative. Shortly after their diagnosis, patients and their relatives are confronted by a sudden commotion activity usually traveling to the hospital for blood tests, x-rays, scan, biopsies, and treatments. This causes enormous upheaval to the daily routine both socially and at the work place.  Most of your time is taken up adjusting to their new diagnosis, with coping with the side effects of therapy and the difficulties of remembering, where and when they have to be and what to do when they get there! Forcing yourself  into a strategy which you cannot do for practical or physical reasons would be inappropriate or at worse may project a feeling of guilt which is counter productive. Depending on the individual circumstances, at an early point in the treatment pathway, however, the subject could be introduced gradually and sensitively. The timing is paramount, as is ability of the clinician to assess the patient’s receptiveness to considering lifestyle issues at each stage. Too early and the anxieties of the circumstances will be confounded, too late and the benefits of lifestyle will be overlooked.

 

Other useful links and further resources:
What is cancer;  About specific cancers; Breast | Prostate | Bowel.  Cancer treatments; Chemotherapy | Radiotherapy | Hormones | Biological agents | Complementary.  Lifestyle advice; Exercise | Diet | Smoking | Sunbathing | Alcohol.  Cope with symptoms;  Traveling | Insurance | Making a will | Support groups  | Tests for cancer | Clinical trials. ...site map
An excess or a deficiency of vitamins and trace mineral can lead to an increased risk of cancer, other illnesses and troublesome symptoms. A reliable way to ensure you have the correct amounts is to measure them. You will then be a to make able to make informed dietary decisions including and whether to take specific supplements in order to restore your nutritional balance. ...read more / order online
The first broad spectrum anti oxidant rich super food  designed by a leading oncologist. POmi-T aims to  boost your daily antioxidant levels using only carefully selected natural wholes foods which have been dried and concentrated for convenience    ...read more / coming soon
An inspiring new lifestyle advice book, based only on the facts, empowers readers with the knowledge to help their chances of living longer and stronger ..read more / order  Después de una diagnosis del cáncer, es; “Qué puede nosotros hacer para ayudarse?” La respuesta, que este libro trata, está “mucho”.  order online	This little book  identifies the situations where arguments breakout and gives simple tips to navigate around them. Ideal reading for families after cancer .. order online
This 21 minute DVD explains chemotherapy & radiotherapy. The only preparatory film which was evaluated in a randomised study and shown to reduce anxiety and improve well-being during treatments. Available in English, Italian, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati & Hindi   ... read more / order online
Cracked and sore lips are common during chemotherapy and afterwards. There is evidence that natural oil based creams are better than petroleum based creams. Nature-medical lip balm  contains only  natural waxes and essential oils selected for their anti-inflammatory and DNA stabilizing properties.. read more..order
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