Overview: Nutrition and Cancer Recurrence

Decades of research tell us that Good Nutrition is Important for Lowering Risk of Cancer. But what about the role of nutrition for preventing cancer recurrence in cancer survivors? Much less research has been done in this area, but fortunately, this is beginning to change. Researchers now are turning their focus to looking at the role of nutrition for good long-term health in cancer survivors. With the millions of people alive today who are cancer survivors, this is a very important question!

Important Aspects of Diet For Cancer Survivors

As we mentioned, there is much less research on the importance of nutrition for cancer survivors. But the good news is that what research is available is very promising! The studies that have looked at how diet and nutrition affect the health of cancer survivors have found that the same approaches that reduce cancer risk in the first place, also may reduce risk of recurrence in cancer survivors! So far, researchers are finding that important nutrition issues for cancer survivors include:

• Bodyweight: Maintaining a healthy body weight is key to good health. This is true for everyone, including cancer survivors. Having extra fat on our bodies appears to increase the risk of just about every disease we can think of, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, arthritis, and dementia. Use our body mass index calculator to see if your body weight falls into the healthy range.
• Abundance of Vegetables and Fruit: What is true for cancer prevention appears to be even more true for preventing cancer recurrence. It is important to "take it to the next level" with vegetables and fruit. The more of these foods we can eat, the better. At every meal and snack, at least three-fourths of our plate should be covered with unprocessed vegetables and fruit. Frozen vegetables and fruit are a good option when fresh is not available. This allows you to get the benefits of these foods, even if you live in a cold climate where the growing season is limited! For more ideas on how to eat more vegetables and fruit, check out our Tips for Eating a Plant Based Diet.
• Quantity of Fat. By quantity of fat, we mean, the amount of fat in your diet. In general, it is good to aim for having no more than 30% of your calories come from fat. For an average 2,000 calorie diet, this means you should eat no more than 66 grams of fat each day. For a 2,500 calorie diet, you should eat no more than 83 grams of fat. And for an 1,700 calorie diet, you should eat no more than 56 grams of fat each day.
• Quality of Fat. Quality of fat refers to the type of fat in the diet. Healthy fats, the type of fat we need more of, include the fat found in fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil, canola oil, avocados, flaxseeds, and other unprocessed plant foods. The types of fat that we should eat less of include saturated fat and highly processed vegetable fats. Saturated fat is found in fatty cuts of red meat, cheese, whole milk, half and half, full-fat ice cream, and other "animal foods." Highly processed vegetables fats are found in processed foods such as chips, crackers, cookies, cakes, baked goods, doughnuts, fast food, instant meals, and other convenience food items. The less of these we eat, the better.
• Whole Grains: Whole grains contain an abundance of cancer fighting nutrients. Furthermore, whole grains are one of the best sources of fiber in our diet. Fiber is important for many reasons, but one of the key ways that fiber helps reduce cancer risk is by helping us maintain a normal body weight. It's true, the more fiber people eat, the easier it is for them to stay at a healthy body weight.

Focusing on Health

One of the most important things you can do for your health is to be balanced in all things. This includes your diet. It is important to remember that if trying to eat "all the right things" causes you a lot of stress, then these changes are not helping you find healthy balance in your life. Nobody needs that kind of stress after a cancer diagnosis. So be easy with yourself!

Make healthy diet changes one day at a time. Build on your successes. Over time, you can shift your whole eating style toward a more healthful, nourishing and enjoyable pattern.

Eating healthfully is a gift to you, your loved ones, your friends, and your family! Healthy eating should never feel like a punishment. Eating well is self-care - it should feel good, not stressful!