Ref : American Cancer Society
You can't change the fact that you have had cancer. What you
can change is how you live the rest of your life − making choices to help you
stay healthy and feel as well as you can. This can be a time to look at your
life in new ways. Maybe you are thinking about how to improve your health over
the long term. Some people even start during cancer treatment.
Making healthier choices
For many people, a diagnosis of cancer helps them focus on
their health in ways they may not have thought much about in the past. Are
there things you could do that might make you healthier? Maybe you could try to
eat better or get more exercise. Maybe you could cut down on the alcohol, or
give up tobacco. Even things like keeping your stress level under control may
help. Now is a good time to think about making changes that can have positive
effects for the rest of your life. You will feel better and you will also be
healthier.
You can start by working on those things that worry you
most. Get help with those that are harder for you. For instance, if you are
thinking about quitting smoking and need help, please see your family
physicians or addiction therapist. The
tobacco cessation and coaching service can help increase your chances of
quitting for good.
Eating better
Eating right can be hard for anyone, but it can get even
tougher during and after cancer treatment. Treatment may change your sense of
taste. Nausea can be a problem. You may not feel like eating and lose weight
when you don't want to. Or you may have gained weight that you can't seem to
lose. All of these things can be very frustrating.
If treatment caused weight changes or eating or taste
problems, do the best you can and keep in mind that these problems usually get
better over time. You may find it helps to eat small portions every 2 to 3
hours until you feel better. You might also want to ask your cancer team about
seeing a dietitian, an expert in nutrition who can give you ideas on how to
deal with these treatment side effects.
One of the best things you can do after cancer treatment is
to start healthy eating habits. You may be surprised at the long-term benefits
of some simple changes, like increasing the variety of healthy foods you eat.
Getting to and staying at a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and limiting
your alcohol intake may lower your risk for a number of types of cancer, as
well as having many other health benefits.
Rest, fatigue, and exercise
Extreme tiredness, called fatigue, is very common in people
treated for cancer. This is not a normal tiredness, but a
"bone-weary" exhaustion that doesn't get better with rest. For some
people, fatigue lasts a long time after treatment, and can make it hard for
them to exercise and do other things they want to do. But exercise can help
reduce fatigue. Studies have shown that patients who follow an exercise program
tailored to their personal needs feel better physically and emotionally and can
cope better, too.
If you were sick and not very active during treatment, it is
normal for your fitness, endurance, and muscle strength to decline. Any plan
for physical activity should fit your own situation. A person who has not been
physically active will not be able to take on the same amount of exercise as
someone who plays tennis twice a week. If you haven't exercised in a few years,
you will have to start slowly – maybe just by taking short walks.
Talk with your health care team before starting anything.
Get their opinion about your activity plans. Then, try to find a buddy so
you're not doing it alone. Having family or friends involved when starting a
new activity program can give you that extra boost of support to keep you going
when the push just isn't there.
If you are very tired, you will need to balance activity
with rest. It is OK to rest when you need to. Sometimes it's really hard for
people to allow themselves to rest when they are used to working all day or
taking care of a household, but this is not the time to push yourself too hard.
Listen to your body and rest when you need to.
Keep in mind exercise can improve your physical and
emotional health.
v
It improves your cardiovascular (heart and
circulation) fitness.
v
Along with a good diet, it will help you get to
and stay at a healthy weight.
v
It makes your muscles stronger.
v
It reduces fatigue and helps you have more
energy.
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It can help lower anxiety and depression.
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It can make you feel happier.
v
It helps you feel better about yourself.
And long term, we know that getting regular physical
activity plays a role in helping to lower the risk of some cancers, as well as
having other health benefits.
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