Here’s an eye-opening statistic: unhealthy lifestyle choice contribute to 35-50% of all cancer diagnoses and morbidity. That’s a very significant amount of risk that can be reduced from strategies that are fully within our own control. In today’s research spotlight, we celebrate Cancer Survivor Day by looking at the outcomes of a study specifically aimed at the impacts of lifestyle-based programming on outcomes associated with risk of cancer recurrence. The results are profound and incredibly empowering.
Participants: 918 individuals who had a cancer diagnosis within the past 5 years.
Program: Participants completed a 12-session, multi-faceted exercise program comprised of aerobic, resistance and functional movement training. Evaluations included blood pressure, BMI, lower body strength, fatigue levels, waist circumference and quality of life, and were measured at baseline, 6 months and 12 months post program.
Results: All participants showed significant improvements in quality of life, functional ability and fatigue, and all three of these measures were sustained through the 12 month measure. Lower body strength also improved for all participants but not at the 12 month measure, which makes sense if resistance training did not continue past the program. Non-metastatic participants had significant improvements in blood pressure and waist circumference, which metastatic patients showed a maintenance of these measures for 12 months (suggesting a stabilizing effect). BMI did not change significantly, but weight loss was not really the goal anyway.
Wellness Team Thoughts: This program shows incredible outcomes for cancer survivors who participate in a structured and multi-faceted exercise program for just 12 weeks. This program did not include any other intervention (such as nutrition, sleep or stress education or practice) but other research has shown these areas to be of critical value for reducing cancer recurrence as well. We find this study to be yet another piece of valuable evidence of the need for comprehensive lifestyle programs in survivorship, such as the one we have here at the Wellness Center. Our program takes the one in this study a bit further by providing 4 months of exercise programming (16 weeks instead of 12), the addition of nutrition, sleep and stress education, and evaluations of body composition to show metabolic risk reduction. You can find out more about the St. Jude Cancer Wellness Program here.
We also believe in taking current research further by continuing survivorship support past the traditional 1 year mark. n even We offer a monthly grad group for all our program graduates with expert speakers and discussion topics to keep our survivors connected and thriving.
For those wanting an even deeper, more personalized look into their risk profile, they can also opt to work with our dietitian on functional lab testing with the DUTCH Test. The DUTCH Test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) is a valuable tool for evaluating hormone-related health concerns, including potential risk factors for hormone-sensitive cancers like breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. The test provides insights into:
- Estrogen levels and metabolism: It measures not only total estrogen but also how the body processes and eliminates it. Poor estrogen metabolism can lead to estrogen dominance, which is associated with increased breast cancer risk.
- Androgen levels: Elevated testosterone and DHEA can convert into estrogen, contributing to higher estrogenic activity.
- Cortisol patterns: Chronic stress and dysregulated cortisol can impact immune function and hormone balance.
- Melatonin levels: Low melatonin, a powerful antioxidant, has been linked to increased breast cancer risk.
- Oxidative stress markers: These indicate DNA damage potential, which is a known cancer risk factor.
The test can help identify modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors—such as obesity, blood sugar imbalances, alcohol use, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals—that influence hormone levels and cancer risk. This allows for a more personalized approach to prevention and wellness through diet, supplementation, and stress management strategies. To learn more about how the DUTCH Test can provide insight into your hormone health and cancer risk factors, schedule a complimentary discovery call with our functional dietitian.
Whether you are focused on reducing risk of cancer occurrence, cancer recurrence or have a loved one who is could use support in their cancer journey, our spotlighted study and our wellness center program show the absolute benefits of being part of a survivorship community.
