What lifestyle habits should I change?
ACS Answer
Changing habits you've had for a lifetime isn't easy, but when making those changes can make a positive difference in how you respond to cancer treatment, it's really worth every effort you can make.
If you smoke or use other tobacco products, stop. If you don't smoke, don't start. Smoking raises the chance of some forms of cancer coming back after treatment, and makes you more likely to develop a new cancer. Smoking can also make the side effects of treatment worse, and slow down the healing process after surgery. Get tips on quitting tobacco.
Eating right is important during and after treatment. Proper nutrition will help your body tolerate the effects of treatment and help you recover more quickly.
Learn more about healthy eating for cancer patients.
Exercise is also helpful for people with cancer. Even easy activities like walking can help reduce the fatigue caused by chemotherapy and radiation, and keep you fit for doing the everyday things you enjoy. Be sure to talk with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Get motivated to stay active during treatment.
It is also important that you protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun. More than 1 million cases of skin cancer happen each year. Most (but not all) are highly curable. And if you are being treated for cancer with radiation therapy or some chemotherapy, your skin may be more sensitive to the harmful effects of the sun.
Once your treatment ends, your doctor will probably want you to come back for follow-up visits to make sure the cancer hasn't returned and check for any other problems. It's also important to continue getting screened for many of the most common types of cancer.
Make sure you follow your doctor's suggestions for regular cancer checkups.
Related Resources
Get more information about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Find books that cover this and other cancer topics at the American Cancer Society bookstore.
Recommended Consultation
You should consider discussing this question with your doctor or health care team.
