Lifestyle Intervention in Surviving Cancer Patients

Supervised physical exercise and diet are normally suggested for preventing eventual weight gain, especially in cancer patients. However, little data is available on the effects of “unsupervised” mixed exercises associated with simple correct nutritional advice. This study aims to assess the impact of these two aspects in reducing major risk factors. 37 surviving cancer patients including breast (20 females) and colon cancer patients (10 males and seven females), aged 55.51 ̆ 10.94, were enrolled in this study on the correction of lifestyle habits. After six months from the onset of the study, the anthropometric parameters of Body Mass Index (BMI), circumference of waist/hip and also cardiovascular parameters (heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate during the 6 Minute Walking Test (6MWT) were measured. The resistance program was established using the Sit and Reach, Hand Grip and Chair Test. The anthropometric data showed significant modifications of the main parameters (body density T0: 1013.54 ̆ 10.48 g/cm3, T6: 1015 ̆ 10.45 g/cm3, p < 0.03; Fat Mass (FM%) T0: 38.44% ̆ 5.04%, T6: 37.65% ̆ 5.00%, p < 0.03; FFM% (Free Fat Mass) T0: 61.56% ̆ 5.04%, T6: 62.35% ̆ 5.00%, p < 0.03; TBW% (Total Body Water) T0: 49.26% ̆ 7.22%, T6: 47.94% ̆ 5.97%, p < 0.05). The respiratory rate decreased significantly (T0: 31.15 ̆ 4.61 bpm, T6: 29.42 ̆ 3.34 bpm, p < 0.04). The functional parameters, evaluated by the number of repetitions of the Chair Test, showed significant improvement (Chair Test T0: 13.20 ̆ 4.84 at rest, T6: 15.31 ̆ 3.54 at rest, p < 0.01). Moderate aerobic resistance unsupervised exercises, associated with correct nutritional habits, allow a significant improvement of the principal cardiovascular risk factors in cancer.