For Survivors: Understanding Risk Factors for Cancer

Cancer is a complex disease and its development and progression is associated with many environmental, genetic, and lifestyle-related risk factors^1-2. In Chapter 2 of the Thriver Manual, you will learn about cancer and associated risk factors, and what you can do to take back control of your health.

Why are risk factors important to understand?

Risk factors can influence the risk of a cancer diagnosis, response to treatment, risk of cancer recurrence and/or disease progression. A number of factors can influence the risk of a cancer diagnosis. Further, there are a number of modifiable factors that can improve your wellbeing after a cancer diagnosis.

Here is a sneak peek at what you will learn about modifiable risk factors and their link to cancer prevention, treatment and control.  

Physical inactivity is one modifiable risk factor that can increase the risk of a cancer diagnosis and cancer progression. Research shows that physical activity can lower the risk of a cancer diagnosis and decrease both mortality and cancer recurrence. It can also improve treatment outcomes and physical functioning and decrease psychosocial distress among cancer survivors^3-4.  Physical activity is a powerful tool that can impact how you manage your cancer!

To learn more about healthy lifestyle behaviours and how you can regain control of your health and reduce your cancer risk, cancer progression, and cancer recurrence, see pages 13 to 21 of the Thriver Manual,  which can be downloaded for FREE, here:  https://thrivehealthservices.com/survivors/free-thriver-manual/ 

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References

1. Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee (2019). Canadian Cancer Statistics. Toronto, ON: Canadian Cancer Society. Available at: cancer.ca/Canadian-Cancer-Statistics-2019-EN (Accessed March 15th, 2020).
2. Brenner, D., Weir, H., Demers, A., Ellison, L., Louzado, C., Shaw, A., Turner, D., Woods, R., Smith, L. (2020). Projected estimates of cancer in Canada in 2020. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192(9), E199-E205. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.191292
3. Patel, A. V., Friedenreich, C. M., Moore, S. C., Hayes, S. C., Silver, J. K., Campbell, K. L., Winters-Stone, K., Gerber, L. H., George, S. M., Fulton, J. E., Denlinger, C., Morris, G. S., Hue, T., Schmitz, K. H., & Matthews, C. E. (2019). American College of Sports Medicine Roundtable Report on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Cancer Prevention and Control. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 51(11), 2391–2402. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002117
4. Campbell, K. L., Winters-Stone, K. M., Wiskemann, J., May, A. M., Schwartz, A. L., Courneya, K. S., Zucker, D. S., Matthews, C. E., Ligibel, J. A., Gerber, L. H., Morris, G. S., Patel, A. V., Hue, T. F., Perna, F. M., & Schmitz, K. H. (2019). Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 51(11), 2375–2390. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002116