The Importance of Lifestyle Medicine in Cancer Treatment

In a professional or medical environment, it is imperative to adopt an integrated approach to the treatment of individuals with cancer in order to achieve optimal results. Healthcare professionals advocate for addressing lifestyle-related diseases as a means of combatting cancer by implementing evidence-based lifestyle interventions. These interventions typically focus on nutrition, physical activity, stress management, restorative sleep, social connection, and avoidance of risky substances.

Dr. Amy Comander, an oncologist and director of the Lifestyle Medicine Program at Mass General Cancer Center, highlights the importance of holistic healthcare in addressing the entire individual, rather than solely focusing on the cancer. This approach is particularly crucial in improving outcomes for cancer patients and individuals with other serious health conditions. Recognising that patients’ overall health must be considered, healthcare professionals strive to understand how individuals are sleeping, eating, and managing physical activity and stress.

The Lifestyle Medicine Program at Mass General Cancer Center adopts this holistic approach, providing personalised consultations with a focus on lifestyle strategies in cancer treatment. Additionally, they offer group sessions on lifestyle medicine and customised programmes such as the PAVING the Path to Wellness initiative, which concentrates on the role of lifestyle medicine for breast cancer survivors over a 12-week period. The programme is overseen by a team of medical experts from various specialties who collaborate to deliver comprehensive care and education to patients. A fundamental aspect of their approach is to assist patients in setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely (SMART) goals.

In addition to personalised consultations, the Lifestyle Medicine Program refers patients to registered dieticians and cancer nutrition services. The significance of nutrition cannot be overstated, particularly for individuals undergoing cancer treatment. It is widely acknowledged that a plant-predominant diet, comprising fruits, vegetables, and fibre, can contribute to reducing the risk of cancer and potentially improving outcomes in certain types of cancer. Consequently, patients are encouraged to explore nutrition for cancer patients through individual and group sessions.

For individuals with cancer, physical activity is increasingly recognised as having numerous health benefits. Research has demonstrated that engaging in physical activity during and after cancer treatment can improve survival rates for certain types of cancer, enhance quality of life, and reduce symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, and lymphedema. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle as part of cancer care.

In conjunction with the nutritional and physical aspects of lifestyle medicine, sleep management is prioritised within the programme. Persistent sleep disturbances are common among cancer patients and have been associated with prolonged hospital stays, higher levels of pain, and an increased likelihood of complications. Therefore, the programme offers support in optimising sleep quality through methods such as sleep studies and counselling on good sleep hygiene.

Maintaining social connections and relationships is also deemed an essential aspect of lifestyle medicine. Research has affirmed that healthy relationships and social connections are key factors in predicting long-term health and well-being. Accordingly, patients are encouraged to seek counselling to navigate and maintain healthy relationships during their cancer journey.

Finally, as part of the programme’s efforts to promote the health and wellness of cancer patients, addressing and avoiding substance use disorders is an important component. Patients are provided with the necessary guidance and support to overcome these risky behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and cannabis use.

In conclusion, integrating lifestyle medicine into cancer care can have a significant, positive impact on patient outcomes. With a comprehensive approach that encompasses nutrition, physical activity, sleep, social connections, and avoidance of risky substances, patients can take proactive steps in their cancer treatment journey.