When it concerns high-risk cancer patients, lifestyle modification medicine has been proposed as a transformative approach by the team at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. The High-Risk Lifestyle Medicine, Prevention and Digital Health program seeks to provide tailored lifestyle modifications to individuals at high risk for cancer.
Recent research indicates that behavioural changes such as maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise can markedly diminish cancer risk. Even for individuals with genetic mutations such as BRCA or Lynch syndrome that heighten their cancer risk, adopting a healthy lifestyle can play a pivotal role in reducing overall risk.
The team at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is working towards integrating conventional risk assessment tools with patient-generated data from digital devices like Fitbits and Apple Watches to craft personalised treatment plans. These plans also take into account factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, ensuring a comprehensive approach to mitigating cancer risk.
Dr. Nicholas A. Borja, a researcher at Sylvester, underscores that genetic predisposition does not imply powerlessness. In reality, it may mean that there is even more at stake in taking charge of one’s health. Dr. Paola Rossi, who is spearheading the effort to assess and provide care for lifestyle medicine pillars in cancer prevention, asserts that lifestyle factors contribute to 50% of all cancers.
Sylvester’s National Cancer Institute cancer center designation has enabled the implementation of pioneering research initiatives in cancer prevention and care operations. This encompasses various research studies centred on lifestyle factors and their impact on cancer patients. Programs like Believe in You, an 18-week training regime designed to educate cancer survivors on living a healthier lifestyle, have also emerged from Sylvester’s lifestyle research, underscoring the impact of lifestyle changes on cancer prevention.
According to Jessica MacIntyre, the Executive Director for Sylvester’s clinical operations, the success of the High-Risk Lifestyle Medicine, Prevention and Digital Health program lies in its capacity to accurately evaluate individual risk and offer targeted screening and recommendations.
Ultimately, Sylvester’s new program is poised to establish best practices and protocols in lifestyle medicine for implementing screening, lifestyle modifications, and other recommendations to personalise cancer prevention in high-risk patients. With their team of dedicated researchers and healthcare professionals, they are pioneering a new approach to cancer care that transcends traditional treatments.
In conclusion, lifestyle changes serve not only to enhance appearance and well-being, but also to significantly diminish the risk of cancer, rendering it a pivotal aspect of cancer prevention and treatment.