Promoting Changes in Diet and Physical Activity in Breast and Colorectal Cancer Screening Settings: An Unexplored Opportunity for Endorsing Healthy Behaviors

Abstract

The importance of diet, physical activity, and weight management in breast and colorectal cancer prevention is widely recognized. While there may be many "teachable moments" that could be used to assess and initiate changes in these behaviors by health professionals (to complement public health campaigns), there is little evidence that lifestyle is discussed within cancer screening settings. The lack of advocacy about lifestyle in these settings may endorse poor health behaviors, in particular the absence of guidance to visibly obese patients. To fully use the teachable moment, patients need to be aware of the relationship between diet and physical activity and the risk of cancer and to be able to relate guidance to personal behaviors. Results from cardiovascular and diabetes prevention programs provide evidence about the components of effective behavior change programs which could be used in the screening setting. Findings from interventions initiated in the colorectal cancer screening setting suggest that such programs can be delivered but it is not clear how acceptable these are in routine health services. Effective interventions delivered in this setting also offer an important opportunity to contribute to the reduction of the overall burden of chronic non-communicable diseases. Cancer Prev Res; 6(3); 165-72. Ó2013 AACR.

Quality of Patient-Provider Communication Among Cancer Survivors: Findings From a Nationally Representative Sample

“…For many patients, experiencing a cancer diagnosis represents a teachable moment that can inform their future behaviors, and many are eager to make adjustments to diet, exercise, and tobacco use because these represent behaviors within their control that can potentially lower their risk of developing future cancers. 37-39 Existing studies have shown that, for these reasons, provider recommendations during survivorship care may be more likely to have an impact on improving preventive behaviors. 37-39 …”

“…37-39 Existing studies have shown that, for these reasons, provider recommendations during survivorship care may be more likely to have an impact on improving preventive behaviors. 37-39 …”

Psychological predictors of participation in screening for cognitive impairment among community‐dwelling older adults

“…Cognitive screening instruments are non‐invasive, do not require physical burdens, and not require any special facilities and expensive equipment. Furthermore, undergoing screening provides a good opportunity to encourage these health behaviors . Thus, promoting participation in screening for cognitive impairment and detecting cognitive impairment at an earlier stage is important for preventing an increase of dementia.…”

Long-term lifestyle changes after colorectal cancer screening: randomised controlled trial

“…In recent years, large population-based studies have shown that even small changes in lifestyle (although insignificant on an individual level) can affect mortality on a population level 7 8. Although the effect of screening on lifestyle changes is currently unknown, lifestyle counselling in conjunction with attendance to cancer screening programmes has been proposed 9 10. Thus, it is important to investigate long-term effects of cancer screening on lifestyle on the population level.…”