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For Your Health — Health and Wellness Tips for Cancer Survivors

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By Dr. Graham A. Colditz

Siteman Cancer Center

     Most of us have been touched by cancer in some way. Maybe we have friends or family who’ve been diagnosed, or maybe you’re one of the 18 million people in the U.S. living as a cancer survivor.

     Given cancer’s seriousness, its extent can certainly feel concerning, especially as the number of cancer survivors is expected to grow to over 22 million within the next 10 years. But there is actually some good news to go along with these large numbers.

     “Yes, part of this growth we’re seeing in the number of survivors is because we have an aging population and more people are being diagnosed,” said Dr. Lindsay Peterson, director of the survivorship program and the START Strong Survivorship Clinic at Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine. “But part is also because people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis.”

     For this growing number of survivors, there are steps that can help improve health and well-being over the years. It’s almost never too early in the cancer journey to get started with them.

     “Talking with patients about healthy behaviors, like nutrition and physical activity and weight management, at the very beginning of a cancer diagnosis not only can help them get through their treatments easier, improving their quality of life and minimizing side effects, it can also instill those healthy habits and behaviors from the very beginning,” Peterson said. “Some of those behaviors have been shown to actually improve cancer prognosis and outcomes down the road.”

     Many of these steps can also lower the risk of other conditions that remain important in people’s lives beyond cancer, including stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and reduced mobility.

     Healthy approaches for cancer survivors:

  • Don’t Smoke. Quit if You Do. This has huge benefits for many diseases, and it’s never too late to quit. Studies show that even people with advanced cancer benefit from quitting. Visit gov for help.
  • Be Physically Active and Eat a Healthy Diet. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and limit red meat, processed meat, and alcohol. Also, try to get some physical activity every day, even if it’s a small amount. When ready, try to build up to around 30 minutes a day.
  • Maintain a Healthy Weight. Weight can be a complex issue for survivors, for many reasons. Staying at a healthy weight, though, can have important benefits. Your doctor or clinic can help with resources.
  • Get Screening Tests and Go to Regular Checkups. It’s important to keep up with post-treatment care with your primary care doctor and oncology team. These visits are not only key to your health as a survivor but also great places to check in about your overall health.

     Looking after mental well-being is also key. Almost every survivor has some type of emotional concern, Peterson added. It could be anxiety, fears of cancer returning or questions about how cancer may impact relationships. Financial issues, like bills, and practical issues, like transportation, can add to this. “I try to understand what a patient’s specific concerns are and get the person connected with resources that can help, whether that’s a counselor or social worker or support group.”

     Cancer can also be isolating for many survivors. So, it can be valuable for both survivors and their family and friends to make efforts to stay connected. “Once someone finishes treatment, everyone may now think they’re fine. So, all of the support they were getting, emotional or otherwise, goes away,” Peterson said. “And the reality is, once people are done with their cancer treatment, that’s actually when I think they need the most emotional support.”

     So, friends and family can help uplift survivors by staying engaged and asking them what types of help they may need. Survivors, for their part, can help by more actively letting people know the types of help and support they may be looking for.

     Programs for survivors that support healthy behaviors and other key parts of follow-up care can be central to helping survivors live longer, healthier lives. All survivors should be given the focus they deserve. “It’s important that we start to recognize survivorship as an integral part of cancer care, not just something we’ll try to offer, but something we need to offer,” Peterson said. “That’s when it will get the attention it needs, and we’ll be able to move the field, and the benefits it offers, forward.”

Resources for cancer survivors:

Dr. Graham A. Colditz leads prevention research at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine in St. Louis. Much of his work focuses on translating research findings into tools and tips that help people lower their risk of disease and improve their health — including the 8IGHT WAYS® to Prevent Cancer series.

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