Healthy Weight Loss for the Cancer Survivor

F or most oncology patients, weight gain is not considered problematic. However, in some instances weight gain can be detrimental to health. Outpatient oncology dietitians most often work with patients who are currently undergoing treatment. Weight loss during cancer treatment is associated with incomplete treatments, increased toxicity from treatments, and decreased rates of survival (Marian, 2013). But once patients transition into survivorship, weight loss is often needed. Obesity contributes to many health issues. It has been associated with an increased risk for recurrence of colorectal and breast cancers (in postmenopausal women; Marian, 2013). Obesity " increases the risk of cancer death among postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor–positive (ER+) breast cancer " (Fuentes-Mattei et al., 2014). It has also been " associated with significantly increased risk of progression beyond the confirmatory biopsy " for prostate cancer (Bhindi et al., 2014). As health-care practitioners, we want our patients to be as healthy as possible and to have the least chance for recurrence of their disease. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietet-ics (AND, formerly the American Dietetic Association) provide guidelines for cancer survivors and recommendations to reduce cancer risk. A synopsis of these recommendations can be found in Table 1. Do a quick Google search for diets, and you will be barraged with " cure-alls. " You might find the South Beach Diet, the Grapefruit Diet, the Cabbage Diet, and even the No Diet approach. In our society, instant gratification is not fast enough. But successful weight loss requires at least two components: It must be gradual, and it requires work. If a diet or product sounds too good to be true, it usually is (AND, 2012). But there are many weight loss options available in today's society. How do you know what options are safe? How can you be sure you are recommending the right path for your patients? This article will provide some tips to help navigate safe and effective weight loss for the cancer survivor. One of the most popular diets as of late is the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Diet. According to an article in the May 2013 issue of the Annals of Pharmacotherapy, HCG gained popularity in the 1950s. Dr. Albert Simeons promoted injections in combination with an ultra-low-calorie diet consisting of 500 calories per day According to the article, " this weight loss strategy claims to redistribute body fat …