The Importance of Diet & Exercise After Cancer
- Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan’s sister Sunaina Roshan was diagnosed with cervical cancer heavy bleeding during her period prompted her to get checked. Now, she’s cancer free and encouraging others to eat healthy and incorporate better lifestyle habits.
- SurvivorNet experts recommend regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management for cancer survivors to lead healthy lives. They may also recommend regular checks for recurrence.
- Cervical cancer begins in the cells lining the cervix, the lower part of the womb (uterus). It usually develops slowly, however, before cancer presents itself. Vaginal bleeding or pelvic pains are common symptoms.
- Pap smears are one way to detect cervical cancer early. During the test, a doctor will collect a sample of cells from your cervix (using a small brush or spatula). The cells are then examined under a microscope for abnormalities, including cancer and changes that could indicate pre-cancer.
- Although it’s unclear what led to Roshan’s cancer diagnosis, it’s important to note that more than 70% of cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 90% of HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer, are preventable in people who get the HPV vaccine that is recommended for all preteens (both girls and boys) 11 to 12 years old.
Roshan, who also lost 110lbs following bariatric surgery and has been open about her struggles with diabetes, fatty liver [a condition where excessive fat accumulates in the liver], high blood pressure, brain tuberculosis, and sleep apnea, has offered inspirational advice to anyone struggling with maintaining healthy habits. She captioned a recent Instagram post,”The excitement of new beginnings is thrilling, but sustaining it is where the true strength lies.
Read MoreRoshan explains in the footage she shared, “In the last couple of reels, I’ve been talking about my new journey for living a healthier life and how I have been able to sustain it. The reason why I show up at the gym or eat my healthy meal since so many months is because I have that version of me in mind.View this post on Instagram
“Even when I look at myself in the mirror before going to sleep, I know I’ve done a good job. And if I can be better today, I want to be even better tomorrow. It sounds unreal, but for me, my transformation has happened by taking baby steps.”
After pointing out how “excited” she was for her next healthy snack., she credited the joy for seeing how “happy” she’s been feeling when she sees the changes in her body.
She added, “It’s not because I’m looking good, it’s because I’ve built myself up in the gym through my diet, and that’s given me the confidence today.”
In another Instagram post, Roshan offered more insight into how she switched from a diet filled with junk food to healthy eating. She wrote alongside the footage, “The path from junk to healthy food was no easy task, but it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress. It’s about taking each day as it comes and focusing on being the best version of yourself.
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“Don’t wait until it’s too late and don’t let illness or fear hold you back. Stay kind to yourself and always remember, You Are Unbreakable.”
Looking back on what she used to eat, which she describes as “everything under the sun,” she admitted “there was nothing healthy going into my body.”
View this post on Instagram
Roshan credits a health scare, dealing with jaundice [when the liver is overloaded or damaged leading to skin and whites of eyes to turn yellow]and fatty liver disease, to prompt her to make changes in her diet.
After explaining how she made healthier changes “day-by-day and step-by-step,” she advises anyone watching her video “don’t let pain or illness change you to making healthier choices.”
She adds, “Do not be lazy about it. Do not be fearful if you can do it or not. Just do it before it’s too late.”
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Sunaina Roshan’s Battle With Cervical Cancer
Sunaina Roshan, speaking on the HER Health Talks channel this year, according to Times of India, recounted her first symptoms of cervical cancer as noticing blood clots and heavy bleeding during her period, something her mom urged her to get checked out.
A Pap smear test ultimately revealed she could have cancer and she later had a biopsy done, confirming she had a very rare cancer called lymphoma of the cervix.
Thankfully, she was able to start chemotherapy treatments just two days after her diagnosis and now she’s cancer free.
Expert Resources On Cervical Cancer
- New Hope for Patients With Cervical Cancer: Adding Immunotherapy Drug to Standard Chemo Treatment Could Improve Survival Time
- 10 Meaningful Cervical Cancer Tattoos That are Full of Hope and Resilience
- ‘Controversial’ HPV Vaccine Shown to be Highly Effective in Wiping Out Cervical Cancer
- Can the U.S. Eliminate Cervical Cancer? Australia Says It’s About to Do Just That
- HPV Vaccination Dramatically Reduces Cervical Cancer Rates; Everything You Should Know About The Vaccine
- Intimacy After Cervical Cancer — “It’s a Journey”
According to the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer forms in the cells of the cervix, the lower, narrow end of the uterus (womb) which connected the uterus to the vagina.
“Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time. Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through changes known as dysplasia, in which abnormal cells begin to appear in the cervical tissue,” the NCI explains.
“Over time, if not destroyed or removed, the abnormal cells may become cancer cells and start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas.”
It’s important to know there are two main types of the disease, squamous cell carcinoma (up to 90% of cervical cancers) and adenocarcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma forms in the cells of the ectocervix (outer part of the cervix) and adenocarcinoma develops in the glandular cells of the endocervix (inner part of the cervix).
Cervical cancer is often difficult to detect as it doesn’t normally have symptoms until the disease has spread.
The NCI explains that symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer may include:
- vaginal bleeding after sex
- vaginal bleeding after menopause
- vaginal bleeding between periods or periods that are heavier or longer than normal
- vaginal discharge that is watery and has a strong odor or that contains blood
- pelvic pain or pain during sex
Symptoms of a advanced cervical cancer may include:
- difficult or painful bowel movements or bleeding from the rectum during bowel movements
- painful urination or blood in the urine
- dull backache
- swelling of the legs
- abdominal pain
- fatigue
“These symptoms may be caused by many conditions other than cervical cancer. The only way to know is to see a health professional. If it is cervical cancer, ignoring symptoms can delay treatment and make it less effective,” the NCI explains.
The Importance of Pap Smears
Pap smears are one way to detect cervical cancer early. During the test, a doctor will collect a sample of cells from your cervix (using a small brush or spatula). The cells are then examined under a microscope for abnormalities, including cancer and changes that could indicate pre-cancer.
This is an important procedure because symptoms of cervical cancer might show up until the disease is at stage 3 or 4. By helping doctors catch signs of the disease early, Pap smears can lead to broader and more effective treatment options.
One of the leading causes of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common viruses which can be transmitted through sexual contact. HPV is the biggest risk factor for cervical cancer, and there are usually no early signs or symptoms of the disease. However, cervical cancer can be detected through regular check-ups, such as pap smears.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s recommended that women start getting Pap tests at age 21. “If your Pap test result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test,” the CDC explains.
Meanwhile, anyone between 20 and 65 years old is urged to speak with their doctor on which testing option is best for them. The CDC explains, “An HPV test only. This is called primary HPV testing. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test.
“An HPV test along with the Pap test. This is called co-testing. If both of your results are normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait five years until your next screening test. A Pap test only. If your result is normal, your doctor may tell you that you can wait three years until your next Pap test.”
For women older than age 65, the CDC says your doctor may suggest you don’t need further screenings if: “You have had at least three Pap tests or two HPV tests in the past 10 years, and the test results were normal or negative, and you have not had a cervical precancer in the past, or you have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids.”
Guidelines For a Healthy Lifestyle
To be clear: the experts we have spoken with have all made it clear that there is no “cancer diet,” meaning there are no guidelines that are recommended for every person with cancer.
The general recommendations for a healthy lifestyle are the same whether you have cancer or not. But Dr. Ken Miller, the Director of Outpatient Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, has some guidelines for cancer survivors who are concerned about a recurrence:
- Exercise at least two hours a week — and walking counts.
- Eat a low-fat diet. The Women’s Intervention Nutrition Study, which looked at early stage breast cancer patients, found that a low-fat diet was associated with reduced risk for cancer recurrence, particularly in those with estrogen receptor-negative cancers. Other studies have found that foods with a high glycemic index that are digested quickly and cause a spike in blood sugar may lead to tumor growth in lung cancer patients.
- Eat a colorful diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends aiming for two to three cups of vibrant vegetables and fruits each day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that being obese can increase your risk for several types of cancer.
Diet and Exercise Considerations for Cancer Patients & Survivors
We think its important to point out that it’s never a bad idea to try to lead a healthy lifestyle. But what should you know about maintaining good health and cancer risk? We’ve got you covered below.[
Thinking about Diet
Healthy diet recommendations for cancer-related concerns can differ depending upon who you ask.
Studies have shown that diet can influence cancer prevention. Heavy alcohol consumption and obesity have been linked to a number of cancers, so it’s a good idea to exercise and maintain a diet that incorporates more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins while decreasing sodium and added sugar intake.
Sugar, specifically, has attracted a lot of attention for a possible role in cancer, but overwhelming medical evidence finds that sugar does not cause cancer. SurvivorNet has previously found that credible sources such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center all came to that same conclusion as well.
But there is still some debate on the subject. Dr. Brian Berman, director of the center for integrative medicine at the University of Maryland, believes sugar does, in fact, fuel cancer.
Below we have shared his views not because it is of equal scientific weight to the sources cited above, but rather because it is a view that does get a lot of attention and press.
There’s also articles that often get published saying “this fruit” or “that vegetable” is the magical cure to cancer. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily the case.
Leading oncologists say it is always hard to use studies of a single food to make sweeping generalizations about their impact on health.
How Can Diet Affect My Cancer Risk?
There is a variety of factors that can determine health risk and it is difficult, and perhaps impossible, to say that a single food such as mushrooms can have a direct impact on cancer risk. Many other factors such as overall diet, environmental risk, genetics and exercise play a role.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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