September Is Healthy Aging Month
Health & Wellness
Written by Tejal Parekh, RDN, LDN | Edited By Amy Edel
September is National Healthy Aging Month, which raises awareness of ways to stay healthy as we get older. Aging presents challenges. For those living with mesothelioma, every birthday is an extra special milestone, but they can also come with additional challenges.
Treatment can extend survival and improve quality of life overall, but can also lead to long-term side effects. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help.
Peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Raeleen Minchuk Prokopetz recently told us, she’s been recurrence-free, but has experienced long-term effects from her 2 separate surgeries. She said exercising and following a custom nutrition plan for her needs are helping her 9 years after her peritonectomy and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy procedure.
Managing the effects of mesothelioma treatment can be complicated at any age. However, it can be particularly challenging when coupled with the effects of aging.
- Are prone to falls and weaker bone strength
- Become more at risk for other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and osteoarthritis
- Lose muscle mass
Changing a few of our diet and exercise habits can reduce our risk for these concerns. Committing to these changes in the long term is key to improving our quality of life, particularly when living with mesothelioma.
7 Small Changes for Greater Healthy Aging Potential
Brazilian researchers studying cancer survivors recently wrote, “A healthy lifestyle may reduce mortality and cancer recurrence, and improve quality of life in cancer survivors.” Healthy lifestyle recommendations included “regular consumption of fruits, vegetables and salad greens; limiting the consumption of red and processed meat, fast food, sugary and alcoholic beverages; keeping a healthy body weight, being physically active and not smoking.”
The following recommendations can be adapted to meet your current abilities and needs. Speak with your mesothelioma doctor before beginning new exercise and nutrition plans.
- Be physically active for 5 minutes daily:The recommended amount of physical activity is 20 minutes per day, but even 5 minutes daily can make a difference. Start slowly and build up if you can. Activities can include: Walking, swimming, lifting weights, gardening, climbing stairs and physical therapy. Even pushing a shopping cart gets you moving.
- Get your eyes and teeth checked: Changes in our vision are a normal part of aging. A quick check-up can determine if you need any help like glasses to see better. At the same time, make sure you visit your dentist too. Poor oral health can lead to health complications.
- Do crossword puzzles: In a 2022 study, researchers found crossword puzzles improved thinking and memory in people who already had mild memory problems. The crosswords were web-based and participants did these 4 times a week.
- Try a new activity: The possibilities are endless but could include taking a class in art, yoga, pottery, woodworking or music. Whatever the activity, getting out of your comfort zone and into something different is a great mental boost.
- Schedule lunch with a friend: Studies find being around people can help us mentally and physically. If you spend a lot of time on your own, consider calling a friend at least once a week to make plans.
- Eat colorful foods: Varieties of colored foods contain different antioxidants and plant nutrients that help fight aging and disease. Make a plate that is both delicious and colorful. Fruits and veggies are easy to use but herbs and spices also add lots of color.
- Prioritize plant-based foods: In the same way we want to eat colorfully, we also want to focus on eating more plant-based foods. In addition to fruits and vegetables, also include more whole grains, beans and unprocessed foods in your diet.
A May 2024 cohort study aimed to identify the association between a plant-based diet and the risk of cancer progression. While this study specifically looked at men with prostate cancer, the findings suggest benefits for all cancer patients as this diet appears to “support well-being and overall health.”
The study included 2,062 men and based on its data analysis, the results, “suggest that plant-based dietary patterns may be inversely associated with risk of prostate cancer progression.” The authors call for additional research, but note the importance of diet in the health of cancer survivors.
