A healthy lifestyle can help your body recover after treatment. It can also help to reduce the risk of other illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes and strokes.
Being careful in the Sun:
Healthy sun exposure can boost your Vitamin D levels which is essential for your bones and general mood. Though, it is unsafe for anyone to stay in the sun for too long, particularly if you have already been treated for cancer.
· Always make sure that you are using at least Factor 30 sunscreen.
· Spend plenty of time in the shade to avoid burning.
· Always keep an eye out for any changes on your skin especially moles, and always seek help if you are unsure from your Survivorship Nurse or GP.
· Sun beds are not safer than the sun and they still increase your risk of skin cancers
Alcohol Consumption:
Government guidelines have recently changed and that recommendations are now the same for both men and women. Men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week. This is equivalent to;
Six 175ml glasses of 13% wine:
Six 568ml pints of 4% lager or ale:
Five 568ml pints of 4.5% cider:
Your liver gets rid of toxins in your body and it had to work very hard during your cancer treatment so your body could cope with toxins such as chemotherapy.
· Alcohol is also a toxin and so excessive alcohol, especially binge drinking, can put your liver under more stress which can lead to liver damage and can also cause cancer.
· Alcohol is also classed as a drug and can have mental health consequences including addiction and depression.
Importance of self - examination
Most young adults who have been successfully treated for cancer go on to live healthy lives but there is always a possible risk of developing a further cancer in the future. Knowing your own body is important and we encourage everyone to examine themselves regularly. This includes checking your skin, breasts or testes for any changes, lumps or bumps. Detecting changes early can improve the chances of successful treatment. If you do spot any changes or are worried then please inform your GP, Survivorship CNS or Doctor
Testicular self examination - www.youtube.com/watch?v=24aXN8ZLQOU
Breast self examination - www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam
