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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Cancer survivors may be able to reduce their risk for functional decline. A new report reveals a home-based exercise and diet program helped older survivors of colorectal, breast and prostate cancer stay healthy.
According to study authors, older cancer survivors represent an important target because cancer and its treatments are associated with accelerated rates of functional decline. They say many older cancer survivors also report poor lifestyle behaviors.
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Investigators from Duke University in Durham, N.C., studied 641 older, overweight cancer survivors. The participants were assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. For 12 months, the intervention group participated in a home-based program of telephone counseling and mailed materials promoting exercise, improved diet quality, and weight loss.
The average physical function score at the beginning of the study was 75.7. Researchers found the average function score declined less rapidly in the intervention group (average score change of -2.15) compared to the control group (average score change of -4.84).
The average intake of fruits and vegetables increased by 1.24 daily servings in the intervention group compared to 0.13 daily servings in the control group. Participants in the intervention group also reported an average weight loss of 4.5 pounds, which was more than twice that reported by the control group.
Researchers say more study is needed to address cost-related outcomes.
SOURCE: The Journal of the American Medical Association, May 2009
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