General Support

Cancer Care Alberta

Your patient has received an After Treatment book and the Newly Diagnosed book with resources to help.

If you feel your patient would benefit from social, psychological or spiritual counselling, resources are listed in the Counselling & Support for Patients, Families & Friends brochure .

Your patient is encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle. Visit Cancer Care Alberta's supportive care and living well website or the After Treatment book for more information.

Here are some evidence-informed recommendations about modifiable lifestyle factors for your information:

Recommendations for Modifiable Lifestyle Factors

Body Weight	Body mass index (BMI): 18.5-25 kg/m2 Waist circumference: less than 80 cm for women / less than 94 cm for men
Physical Activity	Try to be active for 2.5 hours (150 minutes) every week. Spread out exercise throughout the day and week, such as 30 minutes 5 days a week. Focus on moderate (brisk walking) to vigorous activity (jogging).
Nutrition	Avoid sugary drinks and foods Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork, and lamb), and avoid processed meats Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt
Dietary Supplements/ Bone Health	Vitamin D: 1000 - 2000 IU per day Calcium: 1000 mg per day (from all sources) Treatment and follow up as per Canadian Osteoporosis Guidelines
Alcohol	Limit alcohol consumption (<1 drink/day, <3 drinks/week)
Smoking	Practice smoking cessation. For help contact Alberta Quits 1-877-710-QUIT (7848) or visit albertaquits.ca and ahs.ca/guru for the clinical practice guideline
Sun Exposure	Advise on avoidance of excessive or potentially harmful UV exposure Advocate for the use of sunscreen and sunglasses Advise against the use of indoor tanning beds Check skin regularly for suspicious lesion
Immunizations	Annual non-live influenza vaccination unless contraindicated Other vaccinations as appropriate
Other Cancer Screening	Age-appropriate screening such as breast, colorectal and other cancers Refer to screeningforlife.ca/for-health-providers for more information

The following resources provide support and information for physicians: