Exercise linked to longer life for cancer patients

Diane Mapes has spent the past four years fighting breast cancer. She's received a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation.

All the treatment can be exhausting, but she focuses on the one thing that keeps her energy levels up.

"Exercise, in general, it made a big difference for me," Mapes said.

New research is shedding light on how a healthy diet and exercise can help those with cancer live longer than ever before.

Dr. Anne McTiernan with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center recently conducted an analysis of 85 studies that included more than 160,000 breast cancer survivors. She found that patients who exercise also live longer.

Another important factor for survival was maintaining a healthy weight.

"Women who are obese or overweight had about a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of dying either of breast cancer or of dying overall," McTiernan said.

To lose weight, more calories must be burned than ingested. One pound equals 3,500 calories. To drop about two pounds per week, dieters must reduce their intake between 500 and 1,000 calories per day. The researchers also found eating foods that contain fiber and soy and consuming less saturated fat meant a longer life for cancer patients.

The American Institute for Cancer Research has 10 recommendations for cancer prevention that doctors say breast cancer survivors should also follow. Some of these include limiting the consumption of sugary drinks, alcohol, salt and red meat.

Mapes said boxing helps her channel the anger she has toward cancer and its treatments.

"When I box, I always think of Taxotere, which took my hair and messed with my joints, still does," Mapes said.

It's a simple way to help her feel better and maybe also live longer!

"I'm cancer-free right now," Mapes said.