What lifestyle changes can help during cancer treatment

Lifestyle Changes That Can Help During Cancer Treatment

Making lifestyle changes during cancer treatment can genuinely help you manage side effects and improve your quality of life. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and integrative oncology guidelines, there are three main pillars of lifestyle intervention that have strong evidence supporting them:

1. Exercise

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools you have during treatment. Research shows it's not only safe for cancer patients—it actually helps reduce many treatment-related side effects.

What the evidence shows: According to ACSM guidelines, during active cancer treatment, aim for:

• 90 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming)
• 2 resistance training sessions per week (strength training with weights or resistance bands)

What exercise can help with:

• Cancer-related fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• Sleep quality
• Anxiety and depression
• Body composition and muscle maintenance
• Overall physical function and bone health

Getting started: Even small amounts of movement help. If you're very fatigued, start with seated exercises or short walks, then gradually increase as your energy allows. The biggest benefit comes from going from doing nothing to doing something—so any movement counts.

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2. Nutrition

What you eat matters significantly during treatment. Work with an oncology dietitian or nutritionist if possible, as they can personalize recommendations for your specific situation.

Key nutrition guidelines:

Protein intake is especially important:

• Aim for 1 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily
• This helps maintain muscle mass, which treatment can affect
• Good sources: legumes, nuts, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy

Eating pattern:

• Focus on a plant-forward diet emphasizing vegetables, legumes, fruits, and whole grains
• Limit red meat, processed meats, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods
• This approach supports both treatment tolerance and long-term health

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3. Mind-Body Practices & Stress Management

Managing stress and anxiety during treatment has measurable benefits for your mental and physical health.

Recommended practices:

Mindfulness-based approaches (strongly recommended):

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs
• Meditation
• Mindful movement like Tai Chi or gentle yoga

Benefits:

• Reduces anxiety and depression
• Improves mood and emotional well-being
• Supports overall recovery

Yoga (moderately recommended):

• Shown to have numerous benefits across different cancer types
• Particularly well-studied in breast cancer

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Practical Tips for Success

According to exercise oncology experts, here's how to actually stick with these changes:

✓ Personalize: Tailor your program to YOUR energy level, treatment stage, and specific side effects—not someone else's plan

✓ Start small: Begin with manageable goals and gradually increase as you're able

✓ Be flexible: Modify your activities based on how you feel each day

✓ Track progress: Use wearable devices (Apple Watch, Fitbit) to monitor activity and stay motivated

✓ Find community: Join group sessions with others going through similar experiences—it provides support and accountability

✓ Schedule it: Treat exercise and wellness activities like medical appointments—consistency matters

✓ Get professional support: Consider working with an oncology physical therapist, exercise specialist, or cancer coach who understands your specific diagnosis and treatment

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Important Considerations

• Talk to your care team first before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have specific side effects or complications
• Your oncology team can help you understand what's safe for YOUR specific situation
• If you experience pain, unusual shortness of breath, or other concerning symptoms during activity, stop and contact your healthcare provider

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Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team

1. What types of exercise are safe for me given my specific treatment plan?
2. Are there any physical limitations I should know about?
3. Can you refer me to an oncology physical therapist or exercise specialist?
4. Should I work with an oncology dietitian? Can you provide a referral?
5. Are there mind-body programs (yoga, meditation, MBSR) available through your cancer center?

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions about your specific treatment plan and lifestyle changes.