Cancer survivors make healthier dietary choices, more likely to stop smoking than general population

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

Researchers found that cancer survivors make healthier diet and lifestyle choices than the general population. 

According to data from Scottish Health Surveys spanning 13 years, most cancer survivors eat more fruits and vegetables and stop smoking; however, they are less likely to engage in more physical activity than the general Scottish population.

The data captured more than 16,000 people, including 922 living with cancer and 1,257 whose cancer was diagnosed after the survey.

Breast cancer survivors were more likely to improve their diet and stop smoking. Lung cancer survivors were less likely to be obese.

The study author reported that some patients with cancer may have been inspired to change their behavior after diagnosis and others may have been encouraged by their health care team while undergoing treatment.

Although more research is needed to understand how specific lifestyle changes can impact recurrence, a healthy lifestyle is good in general.