Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to effective survivor's self-management of long-term and late effects of cancer and its treatment2. This module promotes wellness to improve physical and psychological well-being, reduced risks of side-effects or late effects of treatment, enhanced self-esteem, reduced risk of recurrence, and improve survival.
- Outline evidence to support lifestyle and behavioural changes to promote wellness in cancer survivors
- Identify the role of employment in survivors wellbeing
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National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) Survivorship Version 1.2013. 2013.
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Davies NJ, Thomas R, Batehup L. Advising Cancer Survivors about Lifestyle. A selective review of the evidence. Macmillan Cancer Support; 2010.
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Lotfi-Jam K, Schofield P, Jefford M. What constitutes ideal survivorship care? . Cancer Forum. 2009;33(3):171-4.
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Pollack LA, Adamache W, Blythe Ryerson A, Eheman CR, Richardson LC. Care of long-term cancer survivors: physicians seen by medicare enrollees surviving longer than 5 years. Cancer 2009;115(22):5284-95.
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Siegel R, DeSantis C, Virgo K, Stein K, Mariotto A, Smith T, et al. Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2012. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2012;62(4):220-41.
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Hayes SC, Spence RR, Galvao DA, Newton RU. Australian Association for Exercise and Sport Science position stand: Optimising cancer outcomes through exercise. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2009;12:428-34.
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Exercise & Sports Science Australia. Exercise and cancer. 2011; Available from:http://exerciseismedicine.org.au/health-care-providers/factsheets-2.
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Toles M, Demark-Wahnefried W. Nutrition and the Cancer Survivor: Evidence to Guide Oncology Nursing Practice. Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 2008;24(3):171-9.
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World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research. Food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective. Washington DC: AICR; 2007.
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de Moor JS, Elder K, Emmons KM. Smoking Prevention and Cessation Interventions for Cancer Survivors. Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 2008;24(3):180-92.
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Parsons A, Daley A, Begh R, Aveyard P. Influence of smoking cessation after diagnosis of early stage lung cancer on prognosis: sysmtematic review of observational studies with meta-analysis. BMJ. 2010;340:b5569.
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Cancer Council NSW. Understanding Complementary Therapies. NSW: The Cancer Council NSW; 2012. Available from: http://www.cancervic.org.au/downloads/booklets/Alternative-therapies.pdf.
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deBoer AGEM, Taskila T, Ojajarvi A, van Dijk FJH, Verbeek JHAM. Cancer survivors and unemployment a meta-analysis and meta-regression. JAMA. 2009;301(7):753-62.
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Maunsell E, Drolet M, Brisson J, Brisson C, Masse G, Deschenes L. Work situation after breast cancer: Results from a population-based study. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2004;90(24):1813-22.
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Initiative NCS. Vocational Rehabilitation. 2013; Available from: http://www.ncsi.org.uk/what-we-are-doing/vocational-rehabilitation/.
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Short PF, Vassey JJ, Moran JR. Long-term effects of cancer survivorship on the employment of older workers. Health Services Research. 2008;43(1 Pt 1):193-210.
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Macmillan Cancer Support. Thinking positiviely about work. Delivering work support and vocational rehabilitation for people with cancer. Evaluation of the National Cancer Survivorhsip Initiative (NCSI) Work and Finance Workstream Vocational Rehabiliation Project.2012.
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Exercise & Sports Science Australia. Prostate Cancer. 2011; Available from:http://exerciseismedicine.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Prostate-ca….
Resources
Resources for Health Professionals
- Advising Cancer Survivors about Lifestyle. A Selective Review of the Evidence, National Cancer Survivorship Initiative
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (US). A relatively recently established US national institute of health. Includes useful news and consumer awareness sections, plus an index of CAM and health conditions. Explains the underlying concepts and concerns regarding individual therapies. Includes reference to research and evidence where available.
- Quackwatch (US) A large and informative site that advises how to spot ‘quack’ remedies, provides information about many CAMs and promotes an informed and critical consumer approach to choosing treatments.
- Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (Aus)
- Endeavour College of Natural Health (formerly Australian College of Natural Medicine)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine Program (US)
- Provides access to evidence based information about herbs, botanicals, supplements and other products.
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre (Aus)
- Society for Integrative Oncology (US)
- Solaris Care Centre (Aus)
For Cancer Survivors
- Cancer Council New South Wales have produced two CD's entitled 'Mindful Meditation: for people with cancer, their families and carers' and 'Relaxation: for people with cancer, their families and carers'.
- Understanding complementary therapies: a guide for people with cancer, their families and friends
- Complementary and alternative medicines making informed decisions: a fact sheet for patients and their families
Returning to work
- Cancer, Work & You. Information for employed people affected by cancer, Cancer Council NSW (2014)
- Employment and Health Insurance Concerns, IOM Factsheet
- Cancer and Careers, US website
- Vocational Rehabilitation, National Cancer Survivorship Initiative