From the Department of Medical Oncology, Harvard University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA (Dr. Ligibel), M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX (Dr. Demark-Wahnfried), and the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret and Mount Sinai Hospitals, and the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Toronto, Canada (Dr. Goodwin)
Authors’ disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are found at the end of this article.
Address reprint requests to Jennifer A. Ligibel, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, 44 Binney St, Boston, MA 02115; e-mail: jligibel{at}partners.org
Overview: A growing body of evidence suggests that diet and exercise behaviors may influence cancer risk and prognosis. Observational data suggest that obesity, physical activity, diet, vitamin D levels, and possibly supplement use are associated with the risk of developing many common cancers. Early evidence also suggests that these factors may influence cancer outcomes in individuals diagnosed with cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate. However, little data exist from randomized controlled trials to guide diet and exercise recommendations for cancer survivors. Guidelines recommend weight control, regular physical activity, and obtaining essential nutrients through a balanced, plant-based, unrefined diet — all of which are recommended for the general population — with the understanding that such recommendations may be even more important among survivors who are at greater risk for second cancers and other forms of comorbidity. More work is needed to both determine the effect of specific diet and exercise behaviors on rates of cancer recurrence and cancer-related mortality among cancer survivors and to determine the most effective ways to promote lifestyle changes in cancer survivors.
