Healthy Lifestyle Pattern is Protective Against 30-Yr Cancer Incidence in Men and Women: A Cohort Study

Effect of the Radical Remission Multimodal Intervention on Quality of Life of People with Cancer

Introduction: The Radical Remission Multimodal Intervention (RRMI) was developed by Kelly A. Turner, PhD, after analyzing more than 1500 cases of cancer survivors experiencing radical remission (a.k.a. spontaneous regression) across all cancer types and extracting key lifestyle factors shared by these cancer survivors. The RRMI workshops provide instruction on these lifestyle factors to participants with cancer and give them tools to help navigate their cancer recovery journey. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of the RRMI on the quality of life (QOL) of people with cancer. Methods: This was a pre-post outcome study. Data were collected, between January 2019 and January 2022, from 200 eligible adults of all cancer types, who attended the RRMI workshops (online and in-person). Participants were asked to complete questionnaires online, at baseline (i.e., before the intervention) and at month 1 and month 6 post-intervention. The RRMI workshops were led by certified Radical Remission health coaches. Participants completed the RRMI with personalized action plans for them to implement. The primary outcome QOL measure was the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp). Mixed-effects regression models were used to examine differences in FACIT-Sp score between month 1 and baseline, as well as month 6 and baseline. Models controlled for baseline score, covariates (including age, ethnic group, and body mass index), timepoints (month 1 or 6), training type (online or in-person), adherence score, and interaction between timepoints and adherence score. Results: 92% of participants were women, 77% were Non-Hispanic White, 88% were living in the US, and 66.5% were not living alone. One-quarter had breast cancer. Mean age ± SD was 55.3 ± 11.5 years. Final mixed-effects model analyses showed a significant increase in FACIT-Sp score of 9.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.2-12.8) points at month 1 (P < .0001) and 9.7 (95% CI: 6.4-13.0) points at month 6 (P < .0001) compared with baseline, a 7.7% and 10.8% improvement, respectively. Conclusion: The RRMI was found to significantly improve the overall QOL of participants at month 1. This improvement was maintained at month 6 post-intervention. Our findings suggest that people with cancer can benefit from the RRMI.

Healthy Eating for Successful Living in Older Adults™ community education program—evaluation of lifestyle behaviors: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: Older adults face many chronic health issues including heart disease and osteoporosis, which are preventable through changes in lifestyle behaviors. The Healthy Eating for Successful Living in Older Adults™ (HESL) is a 6-week community education program designed specifically for persons aged ≥60 years, to promote behavioral changes toward a healthy lifestyle. Our objective is to evaluate the HESL. This is the first official evaluation of the HESL since its initiation in 2005.

Study Design: A cluster randomized controlled trial.

Method: Program implementation and evaluation took place between July 2018 and January 2020. Twenty-nine sites, with 292 participants aged ≥60 years from across five states (mostly from Massachusetts), were randomized into the intervention group (IG) (16 sites; n = 150 participants) and control group (CG) (13 sites; n = 142 participants). The HESL workshops followed a scripted curriculum including information from the USDA’s MyPlate™ and the USDA 2015–2020 dietary guidelines. Intervention elements included goal setting, self-assessment, group support, and problem solving through brainstorming. The CG received no intervention. Outcome measures were collected in both groups at baseline, 2 weeks postintervention (week 8), and 6 months postintervention. These included self-reported lifestyle behaviors, a composite healthy behavior index (HBI), body mass index [weight (kg)/height (m2)], and waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR). Mixed-effects regression models were used to examine the impact of the intervention.

Results: The IG showed significantly improved responses to most healthy lifestyle behavior questions at week 8 compared to the CG. However, not all improved responses were sustained at month 6. Significant improvements detected at month 6 included responses to the question on making food choices that are healthy for the heart, using MyPlate™ tools for food choices, reading nutrition labels when shopping/planning meals, and confidence in managing own health (p &lt; 0.001 in most cases). HBI was significantly improved at week 8 and month 6 (p &lt; 0.001). WHR decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) at month 6.

Conclusion: Positive changes in lifestyle behaviors and WHR were observed in older adults due to the HESL intervention.

Clinical Trial Registration:clinicaltrial.gov, Identifier: NCT04991844; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04991844

Quantifying the overall impact of an early childhood multi-behavioural lifestyle intervention

BACKGROUND

The overall impact of interventions targeting multiple behaviours remains largely unexplored.

OBJECTIVES

This study adopted an integrative lifestyle pattern analysis approach to assess the overall effectiveness of an early childhood intervention on change across multiple behaviours.

METHODS

The Melbourne INFANT program was a 15-month cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 4-month-old infants and their parents at baseline in 2008 (n = 542). The intervention included six education sessions helping parents to promote a healthy diet, physical activity and limit sedentary behaviour in their infants. Participants were followed-up twice post-intervention, at ages 3.6 (2011) and 5 years (2013), to assess sustained effects of the intervention. Previous principal component analyses identified two lifestyle patterns from dietary intake, outdoor time and television viewing time. Random effect linear regression models were conducted to assess the impact of the intervention on lifestyle patterns.

RESULTS

The intervention group had a lower 'Discretionary consumption and TV' lifestyle pattern score than the control group at all time points with adjusted mean difference: -0.29, 95% CI -0.49, -0.09, p = 0.004 post-intervention at age 1.5 years; -0.29, 95% CI -0.54, -0.04, p = 0.02 at the first follow-up (age 3.6 years); and -0.21, 95% CI -0.43, 0.01, p = 0.06 at the second follow-up (age 5.0 years). No evidence of between-group differences was found for the 'Fruit, vegetables and outdoor' lifestyle pattern score.

CONCLUSION

This early childhood intervention designed to promote change in more than one obesity-related behaviour was effective in improving correlated unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. Lifestyle pattern analysis is a useful and interpretable approach for evaluating multi-behavioural interventions.

Association Between Red and Processed Meat Consumption and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Debate on the potential carcinogenic effects of meat intake is open and the relationship between meat consumption and risk of prostate cancer remains uncertain. This meta-analysis was conducted to summarize earlier prospective studies on the association of meat consumption with risk of prostate cancer.

Methods

Relevant studies were identified by exploring PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases up to December 2020. Fixed-effects and random-effects meta-analyses were used for pooling the relative risks (RRs). Heterogeneity across studies was evaluated using the Q-statistic and I-square (I²). A funnel plot and Egger's test was used to detect publication bias. Linear and non-linear dose-response analyses were performed to estimate the dose-response relations between meat intake and risk of prostate cancer.

Results

Twenty-five prospective studies were included in this meta-analysis. Totally, 1,900,910 participants with 35,326 incident cases of prostate cancer were investigated. Pooling the eligible effect sizes, we observed that high consumption of processed meat might be associated with an increased risk of “total prostate cancer” (RR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.10; I² = 1.5%, P = 0.43) and “advanced prostate cancer” (1.17; 1.09, 1.26; I² = 58.8%, P = 0.01). However, the association between processed meat and “advanced prostate cancer” was not significant in the random-effects model: 1.12 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.29). A linear dose-response analysis indicated that an increment of 50 grams per day of processed meat intake might be related to a 4% greater risk of “total prostate cancer” (1.04; 1.00, 1.08; I² = 0.0%, P = 0.51). “Total meat intake” was marginally associated with all outcomes of prostate cancer risk (1.04; 1.01, 1.07; I² = 58.4%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies indicated that increased consumption of “total meat” and “processed meat” might be associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=230824, identifier: CRD42021230824.

Behavioral Patterns with the Coexistence of Risk and Protective Factors for Cancer in Brazil

About one third of the most common cancers could be prevented by the reduction of modifiable behavioral risk factors. We aimed to identify behavioral patterns of risk and protective factors for cancer in Brazil, between 2014 and 2015. Data from Vigitel Survey (n = 95,027 adults aged ≥ 18 years) from all Brazilian capitals and Federal District were used. Thirteen risk (RBF) and protective behavioral factors (PBF) for cancer were investigated. RBF included the consumption of red meat, meat with high-fat content, soft drinks, sweets and abusive alcohol, replacement of lunch/dinner for snacks, television viewing, obesity, and smoking. PBF included the consumption of beans, fruits and vegetables, and physical activity practice. Patterns were identified by principal component analysis and linear regressions models assessed its association with sociodemographic characteristics. Four behavioral patterns for cancer were identified. The 'healthy behavior pattern' and the 'unhealthy food consumption pattern' were positively associated to females and schooling. The 'unhealthy behavior pattern' and the 'mixed behavior pattern' were both negatively associated to females, age and schooling. Our data revealed different vulnerable population groups for cancer. Actions for reduction of modifiable behavioral risk factors aiming at cancer prevention should consider distinct approaches by sex, age, and schooling.

A healthy lifestyle pattern has a protective association with colorectal polyps

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is associated with lifestyle characteristics such as diet, physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking, but these are not incorporated in screening recommendations. Moreover, the joint association of these factors with various colorectal polyps is not established.

METHODS

A case-control study, among consecutive subjects aged 40-70 years, undergoing colonoscopy. Cases with colorectal polyps were compared with controls. Detailed information was gathered regarding polyp histology and anatomic location, demographics, medical history, anthropometrics, and lifestyle. The healthy lifestyle index was estimated as the sum of: non-smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, healthy diet, and physical activity.

RESULTS

A total of 788 participants were included (cases n = 403, controls n = 385). The healthy lifestyle index had a negative association with colorectal polyps (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.62-0.85, P < 0.001), both adenomas and serrated polyps (OR = 0.75, 0.64-0.89, and OR = 0.59, 0.44-0.79, respectively), and both proximal and distal adenomas (OR = 0.77, 0.62-0.95, and OR = 0.73, 0.59-0.90, respectively). Adherence to ≥ 2 healthy lifestyle components was strongly related with colorectal polyps (OR = 0.50, 0.34-0.75, P = 0.001). Abstinence from smoking, and a healthy diet were the factors most strongly associated with lower odds of colorectal polyps (OR = 0.58, 0.42-0.79, and OR = 0.61, 0.44-0.85, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to a healthy lifestyle (≥2 healthy lifestyle components) is inversely associated with colorectal polyps, especially serrated and distal polyps, with no dose-response association. Components most strongly associated with lower odds of colorectal polyps were maintaining a healthy diet and abstinence from smoking. Lifestyle-related characteristics may assist in risk stratification and are potential goals for colorectal neoplasia prevention.

Effect of interdisciplinary care on weight loss: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of a novel interdisciplinary treatment compared with usual care on weight loss in overweight and obese adult volunteers.

DESIGN

Single blinded controlled trial. Participants randomly assigned to usual care (C, general guideline-based diet and exercise advice), intervention (I, interdisciplinary protocol) or intervention + a healthy food supplement (30 g walnuts/day) (IW).

SETTING

Community based study, Illawarra region, south of Sydney, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Generally well volunteer adult residents, 25-54 years, body mass index (BMI) 25-40kg/m2 were eligible. At baseline 439 were assessed, 377 were randomised, 298 completed the 3-month intensive phase and 178 completed the 12-month follow-up.

INTERVENTIONS

Treatment was provided at clinic visits intensively (0 months, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months) then quarterly to 12 months. Support phone calls were quarterly. All participants underwent blinded assessments for diet, exercise and psychological status.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY MEASURES

The primary outcome was difference in weight loss between baseline and 12 months (clinically relevant target 5% loss). Secondary outcomes were changes in blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipids, and changes in diet, exercise and psychological parameters.

RESULTS

At 12 months, differences in weight loss were identified (p<0.001). The I group lost more than controls at 3 months (91.11 (92.23,90.00), p<0.05) and the IW more than controls at 3 months (91.25 (92.35,90.15), p<0.05) and 6 months (92.20 (93.90,90.49), p<0.01). The proportion achieving 5% weight loss was significantly different at 3 months, 6 months and 9 months (p=0.04, p=0.03, p=0.03), due to fewer controls on target at 3 months, 6 months and 9 months and more IW participants at 6 months. Reductions in secondary outcomes (systolic blood pressure, blood glucose/lipid parameters and lifestyle measures) followed the pattern of weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

An interdisciplinary intervention produced greater and more clinically significant and sustained weight loss compared with usual care. The intensive phase was sufficient to reach clinically relevant targets, but long-term management plans may be required.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ANZCTRN 12614000581662; Post-results.

Fruit and vegetable intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease, total cancer and all-cause mortality-a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies

Background

Questions remain about the strength and shape of the dose-response relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and mortality, and the effects of specific types of fruit and vegetables. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify these associations.

Methods

PubMed and Embase were searched up to 29 September 2016. Prospective studies of fruit and vegetable intake and cardiovascular disease, total cancer and all-cause mortality were included. Summary relative risks (RRs) were calculated using a random effects model, and the mortality burden globally was estimated; 95 studies (142 publications) were included.

Results

For fruits and vegetables combined, the summary RR per 200 g/day was 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90-0.94, I 2  = 0%, n  = 15] for coronary heart disease, 0.84 (95% CI: 0.76-0.92, I 2  = 73%, n  = 10) for stroke, 0.92 (95% CI: 0.90-0.95, I 2  = 31%, n  = 13) for cardiovascular disease, 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95-0.99, I 2  = 49%, n  = 12) for total cancer and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.87-0.93, I 2  = 83%, n  = 15) for all-cause mortality. Similar associations were observed for fruits and vegetables separately. Reductions in risk were observed up to 800 g/day for all outcomes except cancer (600 g/day). Inverse associations were observed between the intake of apples and pears, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, and salads and cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, and between the intake of green-yellow vegetables and cruciferous vegetables and total cancer risk. An estimated 5.6 and 7.8 million premature deaths worldwide in 2013 may be attributable to a fruit and vegetable intake below 500 and 800 g/day, respectively, if the observed associations are causal.

Conclusions

Fruit and vegetable intakes were associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and all-cause mortality. These results support public health recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable intake for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature mortality.