Post-Cancer Care : Essential Strategies for Long-Term Health After Treatment
2024-07-31| BLOG
Surviving cancer is a big win, but the journey does not end there. Post-cancer care is very important for maintaining health and preventing the reappearance of cancer.
Those people who take good care of themselves after cancer tend to live longer and lead a better quality of life. For example, the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY focuses much on follow-up care, having routine checkups with health providers helps to keep a healthy lifestyle.
The blog will explain some steps that will help you to keep yourself strong and healthy after getting cancer treatment. These Post-Cancer Care steps can improve your quality of life.
Here's what you can do to take care of yourself after cancer treatment:
- Precision Medicine:
- Eat a Healthy & Balanced food
- Eat at least a minimum of 2.5 to 3 cups of vegetables and 1.5 to 2 cups of fruits daily
- Switch to healthy fats, including some omega-3 fatty-acid-rich foods, such as fish and walnuts.
- Consume proteins that are low in saturated fat, such as those found in fish, lean meats, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
- Opt for whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables to obtain carbohydrates with a goodness of health.
- Exercise Regularly
- Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
- Maintain Healthy Weight
- Reduce Stress
- Managing Side Effects
It is very important to attend regular follow-ups with your doctor. Such visits offer a chance to detect recurrent cases early and manage the side effects of treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that follow-up care should be continued for at least five years after treatment.
These visits generally reduce with time if there are no problems arising. In case you are searching for the best cancer care in Patna, search for a cancer treatment clinic in Patna or the best cancer hospital in Bihar to find the best cancer care hospital.
A healthy and balanced food is very important after treatments against cancer. A diet normal in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins reduces the risk of recurrence of cancers. Other than that, it is also important to avoid processed foods and sugars.
The American Cancer Society suggests that cancer survivors:
Exercising regularly is beneficial and healthy for everyone, especially cancer survivors. The risk of recurrence of cancer can be decreased by 40-50% just through regular exercise.
The American Cancer Society recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week or 75 minutes a week of vigorous activity. Walking, swimming, and yoga considerably improve the condition of physical and mental health.
Avoiding tobacco and taking limited amounts of alcohol is also very important. Smoking alone has been responsible for many kinds of cancers, so quitting can significantly reduce the chance of cancer recurrence. Alternatively, restrict the amount of alcohol intake to moderate levels. The American Cancer Society limits the number of drinks to no more than one per day for women and two per day for men.
It is a fact that the recurrence of cancer is higher in overweight and obese individuals. American Cancer Society advises maintaining a healthy weight can be done by keeping a good diet and being physically active. They advise to have a Body Mass Index of 18.5 - 24.9, which one can achieve through a healthy balanced diet and some amount of regular physical activity.
One can also improve their health using stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and journaling. These activities can help reduce stress management and are helpful for the growth of mental health. According to the NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, such stress-reduction practices may play an important role in reducing anxiety and improving mood in cancer survivors
Cancer treatment has different and long-term aftereffects. Fatigue, pain, and cognitive changes are common. Their effective management is essential for better health. Discussing the side effects with healthcare providers may lead to better management strategies. Most of such symptoms can be relieved by physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle modifications.
Conclusion
Staying healthy after cancer treatment needs a planned approach: regular medical check-ups, good diet, exercise, monitoring mental health, and social support from family and friends. These steps not only improve the quality of life of patients diagnosed with cancer but also reduce its recurrence.
Remember, every survivor is different, so such steps should be taken with the real advice of health providers to plan post cancer care individualistically. For those living in the affected region, a cancer treatment clinic in Patna and the best cancer hospital in Bihar , if needed, may be able to provide them with all the help required to maintain a healthy life during the recovery phase.