Improving health outcomes for cancer survivors

Background

Cancer survivors experience an increased risk of cancer recurrence, development of new cancers and persistent side-effects of treatment such as fatigue and chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. To improve longer-term wellbeing, national cancer organisations recommend that cancer survivors engage in regular physical activity, eat a healthy diet and keep their weight within a healthy range. Although there is evidence to suggest that programs targeting these behaviours (including those delivered by telephone) are effective, they are rarely offered as part of routine survivorship care. Cancer Council’s Healthy Living after Cancer program aims to evaluate the integration of an evidence-based lifestyle intervention for cancer survivors into the existing Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support Service.

The research

• The Healthy Living after Cancer program is available to people treated for any type of cancer and who have completed their treatment, with no limit on time since diagnosis.
• Participants receive six months of healthy lifestyle coaching, including a program workbook and up to 12 coaching calls, delivered by a nurse or health consultant. They are encouraged to set goals to increase their physical activity, eat a healthy diet, and lose a moderate amount of weight, if appropriate.
• Participants complete a health assessment over the phone at the beginning of the program, after they complete their coaching calls, and again six months later. They also have the opportunity to receive a further six months of supportive text messages after they have finished their coaching, to help maintain the improvements they have made.