January Feature: Healthy Living and Self-Care
January is a time when many people set new goals aimed at being more proactive with their health and well-being. For childhood cancer survivors, practicing a healthy lifestyle and prioritizing self-care is especially important.
Today’s blog post focuses on physical self-care but we all know that mental and emotional care are also critically important for overall well-being. Visit the Social and Emotional Health page of our Stewart Initiative site if you’re looking for psychosocial support.
Cancer treatment can have long-lasting late effects, with as many as 95 percent of childhood cancer survivors facing a significant health related issue by the time they are 45 years old. While some late consequences of treatment are unavoidable, there are basic things that every survivor can do to reduce their risks and help safeguard their long-term health:
Brush and floss: Cancer survivors need to be especially diligent with their oral hygiene. Radiation and chemotherapy may have had a serious impact on your dental health, from cavities and sensitivity, to weakened teeth roots and enamel. Make dental visits a priority fixture in your calendar, and try to set up a visit every six months. Your dentist should have a record of your complete health history. Learn more from the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).
Wear sunscreen and limit sun exposure: Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk of skin cancer compared to the general population. The best line of defense is to always wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and limit sun exposure during the hottest part of the day. Examine carefully any moles or other spots. Pay particular attention to the area that received radiation. Be sure to tell your doctor if you find any abnormal bump, mole or spot. Learn more from St. Jude.
Eat healthy: Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Certain naturally-occurring chemicals are known to help protect against cancer, including: phytochemicals found in brightly-colored vegetables; polyphenols, as found in certain herbs, berries, and teas; allium compounds like those in garlic and onions; and glucosinolates, as found in cruciferous vegetables. Limit your consumption of processed meats like hot dogs, preservatives, sugary drinks, refined carbs, and red meat. Learn more at choosemyplate.gov.
Exercise: A large body of research tells us that regular, moderate exercise provides many health benefits, including improving heart health, reducing fatigue, and controlling weight. Childhood cancer survivors are at an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, so exercise is especially important for this population. The COG advises survivors treated with anthracyclines or chest radiation to clear strenuous exercise or varsity team sports with their doctor, as some types of strenuous exercise are stressful on the heart.
Limit alcohol: Alcohol consumption raises the risk of cancers of the liver, head and neck, breast, and colon and rectum. Cancer survivors who may already have damaged or weakened organs from their treatment are at even higher risk of suffering the harmful effects of alcohol. Alcohol intake should be limited to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
Practice safe sex: Childhood cancer survivors are at significantly increased risk of developing HPV-associated malignancies in adulthood, compared to their peers. Given this elevated risk, it is highly recommended that childhood cancer survivors receive the HPV vaccine — in addition to always practicing safe sex.
Avoid tobacco: You probably already know that smoking puts people at risk of lung cancer, which kills more Americans every year than car accidents, fires, murders, suicides, alcohol, and drugs combined. But as a cancer survivor, your body may be even more susceptible to the harmful effects of smoking, especially if you were exposed to chemo or radiation that weakened your lungs. Even being around secondhand smoke from family members or friends can put your health at significant risk. E-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco also carry risks, especially for cancer survivors. Smokeless tobacco can cause cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas. Learn more from ASCO.
In this episode of our January 2022 Conversations Series, we ask Dr. Monica Gramatges of the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers to share some healthy living tips for childhood cancer survivors.
A top priority for every childhood cancer survivor should be attending follow-up visits for management of their long-term survivorship and late effects. Annual appointments should include a full review of your overall health and specific tests based on your cancer, treatment, and side effects.
You should also identify a local primary care physician that you can visit for minor injuries and illnesses, and it is crucial for you to make sure this physician is fully briefed on your cancer history and has the contact information for your long-term follow-up team. If, for whatever reason, you don’t have a summary of your care, you can request it be completed by your cancer care team. A terrific “New Year’s Resolution” for every childhood cancer survivor is to review your care plan and unique risk factors so you are prepared for whatever 2022 throws at you.
Learn more about long-term follow-up care and survivorship care plans.
If you have a healthy lifestyle goal for 2022 that you’re willing to share, please fill out the form below. We’d love to hear from you!
