Risk reduction through survivorship and end-of-life is generally known to be beneficial yet is not regularly implemented in clinical care delivery or self-care.

Research continues to show that adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce the risk of cancer and improve overall well-being. These habits include eating a diet focused on plant-predominant foods, engaging in regular exercise, minimizing inactivity, managing stress, prioritizing quality sleep, nurturing social connections, and maintaining a healthy weight and body composition.

These actions can also help reduce burnout and improve general well-being and empower cancer professionals in their own lives.

Along with increased weight, unhealthy lifestyle habits are a known risk factor in 30-50% of new diagnoses, according to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) CUP research. This is significantly higher than cancers from known genetic mutations, estimated at around 10- 12%.

Why is this important? It emphasizes that we have a significant influence on reducing our risk, improving our chances of surviving cancer and chronic diseases, and enhancing our quality of life. Even for individuals with genetic predispositions, adopting a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk. For instance, people with the BRCA gene mutation can decrease their chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer by up to one-third by incorporating regular healthy habits.

Lifestyle medicine can address up to 80% of chronic diseases that affect cancer survivors at higher rates. This approach not only helps people live better and longer lives but also improves their daily physical and mental well-being. Mental health and social isolation disproportionately affect cancer survivors and certain racial and ethnic minority groups. Lifestyle medicine strategies can improve both lifespan and health span, the number of years that an individual is in good health.