Can lifestyle changes have an impact on breast cancer outcomes?

In her latest online article, renowned consultant medical and clinical oncologist Dr Shiroma De Silva-Minor offers her expert insight into the lifestyle changes you can make to improve breast cancer outcomes, as well as your health in general.  

Can lifestyle have an impact on breast cancer outcomes?

As a breast oncologist, I strongly believe that lifestyle changes can improve breast cancer outcomes and overall health for my patients. There is strong evidence to suggest that adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress reduction techniques, can help reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence and improve overall health.

What role does exercise play?

Regular exercise has been shown to improve physical function and quality of life, and may also reduce the risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients. A study found that breast cancer patients who engaged in regular moderate-intensity exercise had a lower risk of cancer recurrence and improved survival rates.

Regular exercise also helps counteract some of the adverse effects of treatment. For example, anthracycline chemotherapy commonly used to treat breast cancer as well as radiotherapy to the breast (particularly left-sided treatment) can increase the risk of ischaemic heart disease. Premature menopause or anti-oestrogen therapy with Aromatase inhibitors can cause bone thinning and increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.  A healthy lifestyle and regular exercise (particularly cardiovascular or weight-bearing) can help optimise both heart and bone health.

What role does diet play?

A balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including breast cancer. Some research suggests that following a plant-based diet may have additional benefits for breast cancer patients, although more research is needed to confirm this. Reducing saturated animal fats has many established health benefits such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers such as breast and colon cancers and aiding healthy weight maintenance, and would be advisable in any case. When reducing saturated fats in the diet, it's important to replace them with healthier fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, and fatty fish.

Can stress affect breast cancer outcomes?

Stress reduction techniques, such as meditation and yoga, may help improve mental and emotional well-being and reduce stress levels, which can have a positive impact on overall health and potentially improve cancer outcomes.

Can lifestyle changes replace traditional cancer treatments?

It is vitally important that lifestyle changes should not be used as an alternative to evidence-based, gold-standard breast cancer treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy and other systemic therapies. However, adopting a healthy lifestyle can complement standard treatment and may help improve overall health and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.  I believe in empowering my patients to make healthy lifestyle changes and providing support and guidance to help them achieve their goals.

Dr Shiroma De Silva Minor is a highly-revered consultant medical and clinical oncologist based in London, Oxford and Swindon, with over 25 years of experience. You can book a consultation today on her Top Doctors profile.