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Back and Better: A Healthy Lifestyle One Step at a Time
Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc,
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Taking steps to improve your lifestyle is not always easy but the good news is there are numerous benefits for cancer survivors who do so. Lifestyles which include eating healthier, becoming more active, losing weight, or quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of developing new cancers, or in some cases cancer recurrence, and can help survivors feel better and cope with distressing treatment side effects such as fatigue.
For some time now it has been known that women with breast cancer who are overweight or obese (or gain significant weight with treatment) can have a higher risk of recurrence and lower overall survival. Yet, suitable programs are very limited. These factors lead a Vancouver-based research team to develop a pilot study to test the effects of an intensive six month weight loss program in overweight and obese women with breast cancer.
The pilot study was modeled on the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), which was originally designed to evaluate the effect of a lifestyle intervention compared to the use of medication on the prevention of diabetes. The program which involves healthy eating, weight loss and exercise, was successful in reducing diabetes and continues to show benefits after a decade since it was first studied.1,2 The Diabetes Prevention Program materials are free to the public on their website www.bsc.gwu.edu/dpp (click on manuals in the left margin). This program is only one model for weight loss for adults. There are many other choices, recognizing different programs can be successful and one program will not suit everyones needs.
In the pilot study, we enrolled 14 exceptional women who met weekly in groups for the diet sessions and twice weekly for supervised exercise sessions. Our motto quickly became back and better. For many women this represented a combined desire to regain a sense of control over their lives and move beyond the diagnosis of cancer and ultimately lose weight. Each woman in the study approached the program in her own unique way. Some women jumped in with both feet and others began with a single step and all women progressed at their own pace. The results from the group have been very inspiring and for some, life changing.
For Anna it brought about the realization that lifestyle changes are just that - changes for life and while daunting, in the end it is tied to sense of empowerment. For Irene who started off feeling perplexed and frustrated, started to learn knowledge was power and power turned into success.
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Audrey who lost a remarkable 16 kg (35 lbs) during the program and is holding steady said the program raised her awareness of eating a healthy diet and doing some serious exercise. I learned some good lessons on fat content of foods and of course portion size makes a difference. As a surprise to her doctor and herself, she remarked I was able to cut my blood pressure medication in half only three months into the program as my health improved. I think the program helped my overall prospects to avoid breast cancer return.
The next phase of our pilot study is to collect some longer term data at three months and to seek funding for a larger study. The ultimate goal is to develop programs and services which support women with breast cancer in living healthier lifestyles because of the important effect it has on all aspects of health and well being.
Pilot study investigators involved in this project include Drs. Kristin Campbell (Lead), Don McKenzie, Caroline Gotay and Karen Gelmon.
1. The Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. 10-year follow-up of diabetes incidence and weight loss in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study. Lancet 2009; 374: 1677-86.
2. The Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. New England Journal of Medicine 2001; 346: 393-403.
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Archived Healthy Living Pages
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| Spring 2010 Vol.1 No. 2 |
Exercise and depression: A non-pharmaceutical option?
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Kristin Campbell, BSc. PT, PhD |
| Winter 2010 Volume 01 No.1 |
Diet and Cancer Prevention in Women: Can one size fit all?
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Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc Registered Dietitian and Clincal Researcher |
| Fall 2009 Vol. 10 No. 4 |
Lifting weights now thought to help with arm lymphedema in breast cancer survivors
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Kristin Campbell, BScPT, PhD |
| Summer 2009 Vol.10 No.3 |
What's New in Organic Food?
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Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc Registered Dietitian |
| Spring 2009 Vol.10 No. 2 |
Walking with poles - a new stride toward physical activity
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Kristin Campbell, BSc. PT, PhD |
| Winter 2009 Vol.10 No.1 |
Nutrition and Breast Cancer: What You Need to Know
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Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc |
| Fall 2008 Vol. 9 No. 4 |
The Complementary Medicine Education (CAMEO) Program At the BC Cancer Agency
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| Summer 2008 Vol.9 No.3 |
Bisphenol A and Breast Cancer: Is there a link?
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Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc |
| Spring 2008 Vol.9 No.2 |
The Effects of Yoga for Women with Breast Cancer
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Susan R. Harris |
| Winter 2008 Vol.9 No.1 |
Weight loss may benefit breast cancer-related lymphedema
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Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc, |
| Fall 2007 Vol. 8 No. 4 |
Preventing Breast Cancer Recurrence:
How Much Exercise is "Enough"?
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Susan R. Harris, PhD |
| Summer 2007 Vol.8 No.3 |
The Sunshine Vitamin and Breast Cancer Prevention
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Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc |
| Spring 2007 Vol. 8 No. 2 |
Breast Cancer, Exercise and Stress: What are the Relationships?
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Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT |
| Winter 2007 Vol. 8 No.1 |
The End Result on S.T.A.R.T.
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By Diane Jespersen, Study Coordinator
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| Fall 2006 Vol. 6 No. 4 |
Virtual Dietitians and On-Line Services
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Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc |
| Summer 2006 Vol.7 No.3 |
Pilates and Breast Cancer
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Christina Ekegren, PT, Pilates instructor & M.Sc. student |
| Spring 2006 Vol. 7 No. 2 |
Low-fat Diets and Breast Cancer
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Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc |
| Winter 2006 Vol. 7 No.1 |
Aromatase Inhibitors and Bone Health
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Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT |
| Fall 2005 Vol. 6 No. 4 |
Gentle Wisdoms
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Sydney Foran, MSW |
| Summer 2005 Vol. 6 No. 3 |
Pilates Research Study; Calling all Participants
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Kim Keays, BHK, MSc (in progress) & Susan R. Harris, Ph.D., PT |
| Spring 2005 Vol. 6 No. 2 |
Communicating with Friends or Loved Ones who are Dying
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Susan R. Harris, Ph.D., PT |
| Winter 2005 Vol. 6 No. 1 |
Is There an Increased Risk for Developing Lymphedema during Airline Travel?
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Susan R. Harris, Ph.D., PT |
| Fall 2004 Vol. 5 No. 4 |
Exercise for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer
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Kim Keays, M.Sc. Student & Dr. Susan Harris |
| Summer 2004 Vol. 5 No. 3 |
Moderate Physical Activity Prevents Breast Cancer Recurrence
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Dr. Susan Harris, Phd. PT |
| Spring 2004 Vol.5 No. 2 |
Excerpt from the short film Locked Out
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Nancy Baye, Diagnosed Age 36 |
| Winter 2004 Vol. 5 No.1 |
Exercise during Chemotherapy
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Don McKenzie, MD PhD |
| Fall 2003 Vol.4 No.4 |
Breast Cancer, Body Image, Reconstruction and Active Living
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Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT |
| Summer 2003 Vol.4 No.3 |
After Breast Cancer Treatment - What Next?
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Rosemary Shandler |
| Spring 2003 Vol.4 No.2 |
Aerobic Fitness for Springtime
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Dr. Susan Harris, Phd. PT |
| Winter 2003 Vol.4. No.1 |
Building Bone Density in the Absence of HRT
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Dr. Susan Harris, Phd. PT |
| Fall 2002 Vol.3 No.4 |
Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Recurrence
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Dr. Susan Harris, Phd. PT |
| Summer 2002 Vol.3 No.3 |
Getting (and Staying) Aerobically Fit through Swimming!
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Dr. Susan Harris, Phd. PT |
| Spring 2002 Vol.3 No.2 |
More Advice on Getting Fit with Aerobic Activities
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By Dr. Susan Harris, Phd. PT |
| Winter 2002 Vol.3. No.1 |
Getting (and Staying) Fit through Aerobic Walking
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Dr. Susan Harris, Phd. PT |
| Fall 2001 Vol.2 No.4 |
The Dragon Boat Phenomenon Around the World
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Sandy Smith,B.Sc. (PT) |
| Summer 2001 Vol.2 No.3 |
Exercise During Breast Cancer Treatment
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Dr. Susan Harris, Phd. PT |
| Spring 2001 Vol.2 No.2 |
Abreast in a Boat Trophy Race
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| Winter 2001 Vol.2 No.1 |
What is the Best Available Treatment for Upper Extremity Lymphedema?
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Dr. Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT |
| Fall 2000 Vol.1 No.4 |
Breast Cancer & the Olympic Games
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Dr. Don Mackenzie |
| Summer 2000 Vol.1 No.3 |
Exercise and its Role in Depression
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Dr. Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT |
| Spring 2000 Vol.1 No.2 |
Challenging the Myth of Exercise-Induced Lymphedema
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Dr. Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT |
| Winter 2000 Vol.1 No.1 |
Bone Building Exercises
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Dr. Susan R. Harris, PhD, PT |
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Archived Healthy Lifestyle Pages
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| Winter 2006 Vol. 7 No.1 |
The Effect of Aromatase Inhibitors on Lipid Metabolism
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Cheri Cosby, RD, MSc. (candidate), BSc. |
| Fall 2005 Vol. 6 No. 4 |
Managing the Tired Days
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Karen Levy, RN, MSN, |
| Summer 2005 Vol. 6 No. 3 |
Safety of Vitamin E Supplements
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Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc |
| Spring 2005 Vol. 6 No. 2 |
Supportive Communication
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Dorothy Brown, MSW |
| Winter 2005 Vol. 6 No. 1 |
Obesity, Tamoxifen and Breast Cancer
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Cheri Van Patten, RD, MSc |
| Fall 2004 Vol. 5 No. 4 |
Developing A Clinical Pathway For Breast Cancer Surgery: A Physiotherapy Prospective
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Terry van Apeldoorn, BPT |
| Summer 2004 Vol. 5 No. 3 |
Aromatase inhibitors and bone health
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Cheri Van Patten, RDN, MSc |
| Spring 2004 Vol.5 No. 2 |
Seeking Mr. Right!
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Ruth |
| Winter 2004 Vol. 5 No.1 |
Body shape and breast cancer survival
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Cheri Van Patten, RDN, MSc |
| Fall 2003 Vol.4 No.4 |
Surgical Considerations
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Sheila Lamb RN, MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist |
| Summer 2003 Vol.4 No.3 |
Need a Fresh Start?
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Cheri Van Patten, RDN, MSc |
| Spring 2003 Vol.4 No.2 |
New Recommended Resources on Diet, Physical Activity and Cancer Survival
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Cheri Van Patten, RDN, MSc |
| Winter 2003 Vol.4. No.1 |
Hot Flashes: Alternatives to Hormones
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Robin OBrien BSc, BScPharm, PharmD, BCOP |
| Fall 2002 Vol.3 No.4 |
Diet, Breast Cancer Recurrence and Survival
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Cheri Van Patten, RDN, MSc |
| Summer 2002 Vol.3 No.3 |
Coping with Taste
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Cheri Van Patten, RDN, MSc |
| Spring 2002 Vol.3 No.2 |
The DASH Diet: Not another fad diet
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Cheri Van Patten, RDN, MSc |
| Winter 2002 Vol.3. No.1 |
Should I drink alcohol if I've had breast cancer?
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Cheri Van Patten, RDN, MSc |
| Fall 2001 Vol.2 No.4 |
Getting the facts on calcium
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Cheri Kutynec, RDN, MSc |
| Summer 2001 Vol.2 No.3 |
New dietary guide for cancer survivors
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Cheri Van Patten, RDN, MSc |
| Spring 2001 Vol.2 No.2 |
Latest research on flaxseed and breast cancer
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Cheri Kutynec, RDN, MSc |
| Winter 2001 Vol.2 No.1 |
Does Soy Reduce Hot Flashes?
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Cheri Van Patten, RDN, MSc |
| Fall 2000 Vol.1 No.4 |
New Guidelines for Antioxidants - How much is enough, but not too much?
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Cheri Kutynec, RDN, MSc |
| Summer 2000 Vol.1 No.3 |
I'm too tired to eat
Nutritional strategies for coping with Cancer Fatigue
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Cheri Kutynec, RDN, MSc |
| Spring 2000 Vol.1 No.2 |
What's in a cup of Green Tea?
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Cheri Kutynec, RDN, MSc |
| Winter 2000 Vol.1 No.1 |
Research in the Millennium: Diet and Breast Cancer Recurrence
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Cheri Kutynec, RDN, MSc |
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