What lifestyle changes should I make before starting Colorectal Cancer treatment

Lifestyle Changes Before Starting Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Great question—what you do before treatment starts can actually impact how well your body tolerates therapy and your overall outcomes. Let me walk you through the evidence-based recommendations.

KEY LIFESTYLE AREAS TO ADDRESS NOW

1. Physical Activity

Start moving regularly if you haven't been. According to the NCCN Guidelines for Colon Cancer, research shows that physical activity directly improves disease-free survival (time without cancer returning) in colorectal cancer patients.

What to do:

• Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most days of the week
• This could be brisk walking, swimming, cycling, or other activities that elevate your heart rate
• Even light activity is better than none—start where you are and build gradually
• Why it matters: Exercise improves cardiovascular fitness, helps maintain muscle mass (which you may lose during treatment), and supports mental health

2. Nutrition & Diet

Your diet matters significantly. The NCCN Guidelines highlight specific dietary patterns associated with better outcomes:

Focus on:

• More: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, and fish
• Less: Red meat, processed meats, refined grains, and concentrated sweets
• Calcium & dairy: Some evidence suggests higher milk and calcium intake may be protective

Why it matters: A healthy diet strengthens your immune system before treatment and helps your body recover better during and after therapy. Poor nutrition can worsen treatment side effects.

3. Body Weight

If you're overweight, this is a good time to discuss weight management with your care team.

Important context: The NCCN Guidelines note that pre-diagnosis obesity is associated with increased recurrence risk. However, they also acknowledge that weight loss should be gradual and medically supervised—rapid weight loss before treatment isn't recommended.

What to do:

• Work with your oncology team or a registered dietitian on a realistic plan
• Focus on sustainable changes, not crash dieting
• Aim for a healthy BMI (typically 18.5-24.9) as a long-term goal

4. Smoking & Alcohol

These are critical to address before treatment starts.

Smoking:

• Quit completely if you smoke
• Smoking increases treatment complications and recurrence risk
• Ask your care team about smoking cessation programs

Alcohol:

• Limit or eliminate alcohol consumption
• Heavy alcohol use can worsen treatment side effects and increase cancer recurrence risk

5. Dental & Medical Checkups

Before starting treatment:

• See your dentist for a cleaning and checkup (some chemotherapy drugs can affect your mouth)
• Get routine medical care up to date (blood pressure checks, vaccinations, etc.)
• Discuss medications with your oncologist—some supplements or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with treatment

PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAKE NOW

This week:

1. Schedule a consultation with an oncology dietitian (ask your cancer center for a referral)
2. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan that's safe for you
3. If you smoke, ask about cessation support programs

Before treatment starts:

1. Establish a regular exercise routine—even 10-15 minutes daily helps
2. Start making dietary changes gradually (don't overhaul everything at once)
3. Complete any dental work your dentist recommends
4. Get baseline fitness and nutrition assessments if possible

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CARE TEAM

1. "Are there specific dietary restrictions I should follow before starting treatment?" (Some treatments have specific nutritional needs)
2. "What level of physical activity is safe for me given my stage and overall health?"
3. "Should I see a registered dietitian before treatment starts?"
4. "Are there any supplements or medications I should stop before beginning therapy?"
5. "Do you have resources for smoking cessation or weight management?"

WHY THIS MATTERS

According to the NCCN Guidelines, survivors of colorectal cancer who maintain healthy lifestyles have:

• Lower recurrence rates
• Better overall survival
• Improved quality of life during and after treatment
• Better tolerance of treatment side effects

Think of these changes as preparing your body for the work ahead—like training before a marathon. Your body will need strength, good nutrition, and cardiovascular fitness to handle treatment effectively.

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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 modifications.