Dr. Andrew L. Salner, a radiation oncologist and medical director of the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at Hartford Hospital, shares five tips for cancer survivors to lead a healthy life after treatment. He recommends staying active, with 150-300 minutes of physical activity a week, avoiding tobacco, eating a diet low in saturated fats and high in vegetables and fruits, limiting alcohol intake, and reducing stress and getting enough sleep. Dr. Salner emphasizes that cancer survivors should aim to live a healthy life to reduce cancer recurrence risk and improve In the final act health. He encourages starting slow with exercise and seeking help to quit tobacco products.
Based on healthnewshub.org, after cancer treatment, it is important to focus on the rest of your life. Dr. Andrew L. Salner, a radiation oncologist, and medical director of the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at Hartford Hospital, emphasizes that the goal is to live a healthy life in hopes of having a long and happy life. He shares five tips to stay healthy after cancer treatment.
The first tip is to stay active. The recommendation is for 150-300 minutes of physical activity a week, with a minimum of five days per week. Being physically active helps to reduce cancer recurrence risk, boosts energy, reduces anxiety and stress, helps maintain a healthy weight, and helps manage other medical conditions. Dr. Salner advises patients who haven’t exercised much to start slow with a five to 10-minute brisk walk a few days a week and build from there.
The second tip is to avoid tobacco. Smoking is still the biggest cause of cancer-related mortality. Dr. Salner advises seeking help in quitting all tobacco products.
The third tip is to eat well. Studies show that diets lower in s of saturated fats such as red and processed meat, lower in carbohydrates, and higher in vegetables and fruit (plant-based diets) can lower second cancer risk and improve health. Eating five servings of vegetables and fruit daily would be a good goal. Opting for legumes (beans) and whole grains rather than processed foods is a healthier choice.
The fourth tip is to limit alcohol intake. Alcohol use, particularly if excessive, may increase the risk of several cancers.
The fifth tip is to reduce stress and sleep well. Reducing stress improves the quality of life and can be accomplished through regular exercise, relaxation and meditation techniques, counseling, and interacting with family and friends. Getting enough sleep is an essential part of recovery and can be aided by avoiding caffeine for eight hours before bedtime, adhering to a regular sleep schedule, avoiding electronics before bedtime, and creating a comfortable sleep environment.
To finalize everything, cancer survivors should focus on living a healthy life after cancer treatment. Dr. Salner’s five tips of staying active, avoiding tobacco, eating well, limiting alcohol intake, and reducing stress and sleeping well are essential to achieving this goal. It is important to note that these tips are not only beneficial for cancer survivors but for everyone who wants to live a healthy life.
