Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
Fruit, veggies, exercise — all things you know are good for you, but could they also save your life? Sam Wiley thinks so.
Wiley learned he had colon cancer after a routine screening. After a successful surgery, he was cancer free. But he told his doctor, Aaron Levy, MD, that he wanted to do everything he could to prevent future cancers.
Dr. Levy, a gastroenterologist with Kaiser Permanente, explained that the food we eat plays a powerful role in cancer prevention. He encouraged Wiley to try a plant-based diet. Wiley started eating mostly fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, and beans.
Nearly a decade after his surgery, Wiley remains cancer-free.
Dr. Levy spoke about the benefits of a plant-based diet at Fighting Cancer with Kaiser Permanente. Cancer survivors and their loved ones learned how to live a healthy life after cancer at the virtual event.
Lifestyle medicine is an approach to treating cancer and other long-term health conditions. Doctors can prescribe changes to patients’ daily behaviors to support standard treatments.
For example, doctors may prescribe regular physical activity and healthy sleep. They show patients how to manage stress. They talk about the importance of social connection. And they often recommend that patients avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and recreational drugs.
Lifestyle medicine can help people with cancer. It can also help with chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Kaiser Permanente members in lifestyle medicine programs receive thorough assessments. Doctors then recommend lifestyle changes for their specific health concerns.
“In many cases, these programs are successful in reversing elements of their disease altogether,” said Sunny Dhah, DO. Dr. Dhah is a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor with Kaiser Permanente, who also spoke at the event for cancer survivors.
We have in each and every one of us the power to change the future. By adjusting our lifestyles, we can prevent as much as 30% to 50% of cancers. Tatjana Kolevska, MD
Dr. Dhah said that 30 to 60 minutes of exercise 3 times a week can reduce your risk of cancer. And for cancer patients, regular exercise can help improve their recovery and quality of life.
Reducing stress is another important part of the fight against cancer. Chronic stress increases inflammation and reduces immunity. Stress also interferes with your body’s ability to repair its DNA. Stress reduction techniques such as yoga and meditation can help fight cancer.
Social support and personal connection are also linked to better health. In fact, when it comes to cancer, being isolated is as much of a risk as smoking. And it may even exceed the risk of obesity and physical inactivity.
“We have in each and every one of us the power to change the future,” said Tatjana Kolevska, MD, medical director of Kaiser Permanente’s National Excellence in Cancer Care Program.
“By adjusting our lifestyles, we can prevent as much as 30% to 50% of cancers,” Dr. Kolevksa said. “Let’s take that power and unleash it, so nobody will ever suffer from preventable cancer.”
Learn more about cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
A Kaiser Permanente doctor and researcher shares the simple changes you …
Talk with your family about their medical conditions. What you learn could …
Tasha Champion shares how early testing by her oncologist at Kaiser Permanente …
A father's determination to stay healthy for his 3 children led him to …
A sharp increase in rates of adult caregiving is taking a mental and physical …
As a lifelong nonsmoker, Mariann Stephens was shocked to learn she had …
An expert’s insights on the changing mental health landscape, its impact …
An interview with Kaiser Permanente sleep expert Clarisse Glen, MD, sheds …
A Kaiser Permanente physician thought he pinched a nerve during a tennis …
The foods we eat play a role in risk factors that can lead to disease.
Endless bad news is just one fingertip away online. One Kaiser Permanente …
Ask yourself a few questions to figure out if you’re using food to try …
Kaiser Permanente is partnering with the LA Clippers to elevate the health …
Bettye Garrett’s personal doctor says her healthy perspective on life’s …
HuffPost
Shiloh Sevin’s well-being improves thanks to her psychologist and the Calm …
If you're rethinking your habits, here are some questions to keep in mind.
In August 2023, John Lynn collapsed at work. For the next year, he fought …
Primary care teams can make a big difference in their patients’ lives, …
A lifelong educator seeks behavioral health care to manage repetitive worries, …
A Kaiser Permanente radiologist answers commonly asked questions.
After a long period of loneliness and isolation, Roberta Maguire gets the …
Young people face growing pressures from social media, school, and other …
A Ventura County community-based nonprofit provides counselors to help …
Miriam Gutierrez was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer at age 31. …
Kaiser Permanente celebrates doctors and nurse practitioners recognized …
‘Connect’ with research to help understand more about the increase of certain …
Connecting through a shared heritage gives one therapist a unique perspective …
With the support of his health care team and nurse navigator, musician …
The new Pueblo North Medical Offices will replace the existing facility …
Policy changes are crucial for better opioid addiction treatment.
After a life-threatening series of heart attacks at age 57, Bunnell Fockler …
Taking time to focus while you eat can help you avoid overeating.
Donna Budway received prompt surgery followed by chemotherapy. She credits …
A basketball coach’s remarkable story of undergoing brain tumor surgery …
Support from a dedicated care team helps Tiffany Anonye breastfeed her …
A mother and daughter share a special bond after undergoing tonsillectomies …
Kaiser Permanente in San Diego helped plan a special send-off for Katie …
Shannon Parkin survived 7 suicide attempts. She shares her story of hope …
Ed Dalmasso needed an aortic valve replacement. His care team provided …
Harold Newman had advanced prostate cancer. Genetic testing helped expand …
5280 Magazine named 332 Kaiser Permanente physicians to its annual Top …
Our investment in the Watts neighborhood of California, in partnership …
A Southern California program, powered by our connected care model, is …
Chef Ann Foundation will use $275,000 grant for Colorado program to convert …
Kaiser Permanente is making waves this summer, ensuring that communities …
The Kaiser Permanente Colorado Health Action Summit gathered nonprofits, …
A Kaiser Permanente doctor shares key details. By learning more about autism, …
When a newborn was diagnosed with meningitis, a life-threatening infection …
Funding from Kaiser Permanente in Washington helps to promote mental health, …
Delivering multiple babies is difficult, but Kaiser Permanente care teams …
Exceptional, personalized radiation oncology care helped Maura Craig treat …
Chris Hogan faced kidney cancer and prostate cancer at the same time. He …
Participate in a study to help uncover the causes of cancer and how to …
A young father is enjoying “bonus time” with his kids thanks to new targeted …
Kaiser Permanente and the Los Angeles Football Club will launch the second …
Patients like Carol Pitman are living longer thanks to advances in lung …
Behavioral health consultants can provide a better understanding of often …
Feeling emotional or overwhelmed after a new baby’s arrival? You’re not …
Kaiser Permanente has opened a new Radiation Oncology Center at the Bellflower …
After a lifetime of feeling isolated, Moth Wygal finds connection thanks …
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, …
Naomi Girma, a sports ambassador for Kaiser Permanente, is passionate about …
Kaiser Permanente is committed to finding ways to help reduce falls in …
Some of the most common conditions affecting men carry a social stigma …
One in 5 people experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health …
It’s easy to put off recommended health screenings, and sometimes even …
Black Americans experience worse health outcomes compared to other populations …
Lynch syndrome is a gene mutation that increases colon cancer risk. Learn …
Virtual cardiac rehab helped Mike Kelly heal at home after a life-threatening …
A healthy life after cancer is possible. Learn how Kaiser Permanente helps …
Leading a busy life? Don’t forget to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep to protect …
Medical Financial Assistance program supports access to health care.
Kaiser Permanente excels in preventing, detecting, and treating kidney …
For Sam Beeson, having a midwife at her side during her pregnancy helped …
Colorado musician back with the band thanks to new virtual cardiac rehab …
As part of the Cancer Screening Research Network, our researchers will …
A new Kaiser Permanente facility in Bellflower, California, makes customized …
A timely preventive test reveals Rebecca Kucera has cancer. Swift treatment …
Early detection of the disease, before it becomes advanced, will increase …
Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for most people starting …
Care teams at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center helped Phillip Crawford …
Gabriel Abarca had no hope for his future. Then the team at Kaiser Permanente …
Innovative surgical recovery program helps breast cancer patients safely …
The Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center started as a …
Kaiser Permanente supports the ballot measure to expand and improve mental …
You have only one heart. ‘Prescribe’ yourself a few changes to help protect …
Kaiser Permanente opens medical offices and a new home for the Watts Counselin …
One of the best ways to prevent future heart conditions is knowing what …
CityHealth’s 2023 Annual Policy Assessment awards cities for their policies …
Supporting behavioral and mental health in communities where needs are …
Tookie Gentilcore returns to enjoying life thanks to a quick, safe method …
Grateful for compassionate and successful Hodgkin lymphoma treatment at …
Better public policies can help address the challenges. We encourage policymak …
People with diabetes are more likely to have heart disease.
Kaiser Permanente’s Patient Advisory Councils help us create exceptional …
There aren’t enough mental health professionals in the U.S. to meet the …
Cervical cancer is highly preventable. Learn how HPV vaccination and regular …
Our researchers are leading the way to more effective, affordable, and …
Kaiser Permanente celebrates inclusion at Special Olympics Southern California …