Scientists have found that cancer survivors feel distressed when told about what to eat and what not to, whereas, exercise helps as a stress reliever giving them a feeling of being in control of their health.
A new study shows that cancer survivors are better off with exercise than being constantly reminded of following a diet every day. Mary Maley, lead author of the study, says that if cancer survivors could do small physical activities on their own like walking inside the house or even walking down the block, it can be a very useful in relieving stress.
"Often they will say ... either 'You must eat this or you can't eat that.' People think they are being helpful but it's really stressful for someone who is trying to deal with a serious illness. It makes them think, 'Everyone is telling me what I put in my mouth is either going to save me or kill me,'" Maley, an extension associate at Cornell's Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, said in a Cornell University press release.
For the study, researchers interviewed 36 women who had a history of cancer for almost two years. These women were questioned about taking control over their health, exercise as stress reliever, healthy diet and quality of their life. Researchers also asked the women about the changes in their lifestyle after cancer diagnoses and the relationship between their body weight and cancer.
"Recovery from cancer is not just about the medicine, surgery, chemo and radiation," Maley said. "It's about the whole picture. [The women said] that if their medical professionals would talk to them about a healthy diet, body weight and exercise, it would help relieve some of the stress, answer some of their questions and help them to feel encouraged and positive about some of the choices they can make."
According to the latest report from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), 13.7 million cancer survivors were reported in the United States as of January 2012, and the number is expected to rise by 31 percent by 2022. The report also shows that 22 percent of cancer survivors are diagnosed with breast cancer and 20 percent with prostate cancer. Lung cancer survivors account for only 3 percent.
The findings of the study are published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (May/June issue).
