How does losing weight help cancer patients?
Losing body fat helps cancer patients in many ways both directly and indirectly. Decreasing body fat percentage is a direct result of increased activity. A study by the American Cancer Society showed that women who were more active, 6 hours a week of vigorous activity (jogging, swimming, running), decreased their risk of breast cancer by 30%. Another study showed that men and women who jogged the equivalent of 5 hours per week lowered their risk of colorectal cancer by 40%-50%. Losing weight also decreases risk of developing complications from surgery such as having a mastectomy or lumpectomy. The time needed for recovery from surgery also decreases allowing you to get back to your daily routine sooner. Shorter recovery times lead to less protective posturing by the body to compensate for the weakened areas. Fatigue is a very common issue with patients who are currently undergoing radiation or chemo or who have previously gone through either treatment. Not all patients experience fatig
