‘Rocky IV’ Star and Cancer Survivor Dolph Lundgren, 68, Says, ‘Push Your Heart, Stay Mobile, and Don’t Forget to Stretch’ as He Follows Guidance from Experts that Helps Reduce Recurrence Risk

Exercise is one of the most consistently recommended habits. Medical oncologist Dr. Elizabeth Comen explains that among breast cancer patients, “We know exercise helps people lose weight, but there’s evolving data to suggest that it decreases the risk of breast cancer significantly.”

Importantly, she stresses that movement doesn’t have to be extreme. A gym membership or long-distance running isn’t required to make a difference.

 

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For Lundgren, though, intensity is part of his rhythm. He recently shared a glimpse of his weekly 30-minute cardio circuit, designed to push his heart rate to 80% of its max — a routine he says boosts mobility and nods to his Kyokushin Karate roots. His Instagram post highlights a mix of resistance work, strength training, and deep stretching.

“Exercise doesn’t have to mean all of a sudden you’re running a triathlon or doing something that you’ve never done before,” Dr. Comen adds. “But sometimes for cancer patients, being diagnosed with this is a way to jumpstart their lives and take better care of themselves.”

Experts also emphasize that even with healthy habits, recurrence is never the patient’s fault. There’s no guaranteed way to prevent cancer from coming back. What survivors can do is partner with their care team to build a plan that supports their health while allowing them to fully live in the present.

Steps to Help Reduce the Risk of Recurrence

SurvivorNet experts say following these recommended tips can help reduce your chance of cancer returning.

Follow treatment guidelines. Among breast cancer survivors, for example, Dr. Elisa Port, a surgical oncologist specializing in breast cancer at Mount Sinai, says, “The best way to reduce your risk of recurrence with breast cancer is to follow treatment guidelines and complete the course of treatment that’s given.”

Dr. Port adds that many breast cancers are driven by hormones, and long-term treatments — such as Tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors — are prescribed to lower the chance of those cancers returning. The challenge is that these medications are often taken for 5–10 years. While some women tolerate them well, others face difficult side effects that can severely impact their quality of life.

Maintaining a healthy weight may also reduce the risk of recurrence, which closely ties into maintaining a proper diet and exercise regimen.

 

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The American Cancer Society recommends aiming for two to three cups of vibrant vegetables and fruits each day.

“I’m going to want you to be doing at least two hours a week of some exercise, and walking counts,”  Dr. Ken Miller, the Director of Outpatient Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, explains to SurvivorNet.

Dr. Miller adds that a low-fat diet is beneficial for both cancer patients and survivors.

Limiting alcohol can go along way in managing and reducing recurrence risk.

There is a clear link between consuming alcohol, especially drinking it regularly over time, and an increased risk of several cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. Those cancers include head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal.

According to a study published last year in JAMA Network Open, people with “heavy drinking levels had an associated higher risk” of developing alcohol-related cancers than those who did not drink.”

The study included 4.5 million participants who self-reported their drinking habits. The results concluded that people who reduced their alcohol consumption lowered their risk.

Conversely, “Those with moderate or heavy drinking levels who quit drinking had a higher all cancer incidence than those who sustained their levels, but when quitting was sustained, this increase in risk disappeared.”

WATCH: Alcohol and its impact on colon cancer risk.

Each drink increases a woman’s risk for breast cancer, according to some SurvivorNet experts.

Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal cancer surgeon at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said she also believes alcohol increases the risk for certain cancers but acknowledged that the data were mixed, especially for colon cancer.

“I do think that high levels of alcohol certainly predispose to a certain number of cancers, including pancreatic and liver cancer, and may predispose to colon cancer,” she said.

“But there’s also some data that shows that low levels of alcohol, or a glass of wine here and there, may actually lower your risk of colon cancer,” Dr. Yeo continued.

Lundgren’s Cancer Journey

Ludgren was diagnosed with kidney cancer more than a decade ago.

“You always think about your health and your healthcare when you get cancer, and maybe this is just me, but you sort of blame yourself for it,” Lundgren shared on the “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” podcast.

He acknowledged experimenting with steroids during the 1980s and 1990s.

Lundgren’s diagnosis came in 2015, when doctors discovered a tumor in his kidney. After surgery and a biopsy confirmed it was cancer, he continued working in film, even as his health fluctuated. For several years, the disease remained at bay—until symptoms he mistook for acid reflux revealed something far more serious.

“I did an MRI, and the doctors found a few more tumors around that area,” he recalled. “Six tumors were removed, but then another tumor was discovered.”

When surgery was no longer an option, Lundgren began systemic therapy. The side effects were brutal: dramatic weight loss, chronic diarrhea, mouth sores, and persistent pain in his hands and feet. Still, he kept acting—until a London-based doctor urged him to reconsider his priorities.

“I asked him how long you think I have left, and he said, I think he said two to three years,” Lundgren shared on “In Depth with Graham Bensinger.”

“But I could tell in his voice that he thought it was less. I thought it was it. I wasn’t bitter about it, but I felt sorry for my kids, fiancé, and people around me.”

Determined not to give up, Lundgren sought a second opinion. The new doctor offered a different treatment plan—and a renewed sense of hope.

“Within three months, things were shrinking by 20 to 30 percent,” Lundgren said. “When I shared with my family, it was emotional. In 2022, I was watching these medications do their thing, and the tumors shrank by 90 percent.”

By the end of 2024, Lundgren was declared cancer-free.

Kidney Cancer Symptoms and Treatment

In the early stages, kidney cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. However, what a patient experiences can differ widely depending on the tumor’s type, size, and location. Below are some potential symptoms and side effects that individuals with kidney cancer might encounter:

• Blood in the urine
• Lower back pain on one side
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Weight loss
• Reduced appetite
• Lumps or growths on the lower back or the side
• High temperature and fever that doesn’t seem to go away
• Anemia: low counts of red blood cells

Surgery is often the primary approach for treating kidney tumors, with the goal of fully removing the cancer. However, this option is typically considered when the tumor is still localized—meaning it’s a manageable size and hasn’t spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. There are several types of surgical procedures used to treat kidney cancer, including:

• Radical nephrectomy
• Partial nephrectomy
• Cytoreductive nephrectomy
• Laparoscopic and robotic surgery
• Mastectomy

Treatment Options for Kidney Cancer: What You Should Know

Kidney cancer can be treated through a range of approaches—each designed to target cancer cells in different ways. Your care team will help determine the best path forward based on your diagnosis, overall health, and personal preferences. Here’s a breakdown of key treatment options:

• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This minimally invasive procedure uses a needle inserted directly into the tumor. Electric currents and radiofrequency waves heat and destroy the cancerous tissue from within.
• Cryoablation: In this technique, extremely cold probes are placed into the tumor to freeze and kill cancer cells. It’s often used for small tumors or patients who aren’t candidates for surgery.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses powerful medications to stop cancer cells from growing, dividing, or surviving. While kidney cancer is often resistant to traditional chemotherapy, certain drugs may be used in specific cases or in combination with other therapies.
• Radiation Therapy: High-energy particles or waves are used to damage and destroy cancer cells. The two main types are:
• External Beam Radiation: Delivered from outside the body, targeting the tumor with precision.
• Internal Radiation (Brachytherapy): Places radioactive material directly inside or near the tumor.
• Immunotherapy: This innovative approach activates your immune system to better detect and attack cancer cells. Treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors help the body overcome cancer’s defenses and mount a stronger response.
• Targeted Therapy: These drugs zero in on specific genes or proteins that fuel cancer growth. One notable example is belzutifan (Welireg), approved by the FDA in August 2021 for patients with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-related kidney cancers. Belzutifan blocks a protein called HIF-2α, which normally supplies oxygen and nutrients to cancer cells—cutting off this pathway can shrink tumors significantly.
• Combination Therapy: In many cases, doctors may recommend a blend of treatments—such as immunotherapy paired with targeted therapy—to increase effectiveness and tailor care to your unique needs.

A Note on Side Effects and Shared Decision-Making
While these treatments offer hope, they can also come with side effects that impact your body and daily life. That’s why it’s essential to have open, honest conversations with your doctor. Together, you can weigh the risks and benefits, explore supportive care options, and choose a treatment plan that aligns with your values and goals.

Questions For Your Doctor

• Can you explain the type and stage of my kidney cancer, and what that means for my prognosis?
• What are the recommended treatment approaches for my specific case, and what are the potential benefits and risks of each?
• What side effects should I expect from treatment, and how can they be managed to maintain my daily quality of life?
• How will we track whether the treatment is working, and what tests or scans will be part of my follow‑up care?
• Are there supportive resources—such as nutrition guidance, counseling, or patient support groups—that can help me during treatment and recovery?

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