What Is the Role of Lifestyle Medicine in Cancer Care?
Amy Comander, MD discusses the Lifestyle Medicine Program at Mass General Cancer Center and how "treating the whole person, not just the cancer, is essential in oncology care.”
Contact Information
Please email mghccsupportivecare@partners.org with any questions about the Lifestyle Medicine Program.
Elevate Health, Well-being and More: Thriving Together in 2024
The Lifestyle Medicine Program is hosting a free 6-part virtual series exploring strategies for boosting well-being in 2024. All cancer survivors, thrivers, and those living with cancer are welcome to join! Caregivers and family members are also welcome.
View schedule and registration
The Lifestyle Medicine Clinic offers personalized one-on-one consultations with our lifestyle medicine team. These visits are currently being held virtually and you will be booked for an appointment regardless of Mass General Cancer Center location, and as appointments are available.
During these virtual visits, you’ll meet one-on-one with a physician or nurse practitioner who specializes in lifestyle medicine in the oncology setting. After your initial consultation, this provider will refer you to any appropriate additional services, including but not limited to:
To make an appointment for the Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, please email the team at mghccsupportivecare@partners.org. Ask your oncology team to place a referral.
Lifestyle Medicine helps people adopt evidence-based lifestyle behaviors (such as healthy eating habits, regular exercise, managing stress, forming and maintaining healthy relationships with others, sleep hygiene, and avoidance of risky substances) to improve and maintain health as well as prevent disease.
The Lifestyle Medicine Program at Mass General Cancer Center provides personalized consultations and group visits for any patient with cancer or a history of cancer who wants to improve their physical fitness, nutrition, quality of life or adopt or resume healthy lifestyle habits.
The foundations of our program:
We understand that when making lifestyle changes it can be hard to know where to start! Our experts will evaluate your personal needs and work with you on defining the steps needed to help you achieve your goals. We look forward to meeting you.
Learn more about Lifestyle Medicine in this article featuring Amy Comander, MD.
Any Mass General Cancer Center patient can benefit from this program.
Learn more about group visits, view FAQs, schedule and more.
Based on the principles of lifestyle medicine, PAVING the Path to Wellness is a 12-week program which provides education on the importance of physical activity, healthy eating, sleep, stress management, and the power of personal connections for individuals of all ages with a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Learn about the PAVING the Path to Wellness program.
Our team of Registered Dietitians provides evidenced based & expert nutrition counseling.
Learn about Mass General's Healthy Lifestyle Program.
This program helps patients regain physical abilities and maintain independence.
Find details of each of our workshops and support groups.
The Lifestyle Medicine Program at Mass General Cancer Center recommends an exercise program for cancer patients and survivors, based on baseline fitness, personal goals, and cancer therapy to minimize side effects, prevent loss of function, and improve long-term outcomes. Our exercise videos are tailored to cancer patients and survivors and are a great step for incorporating exercise into your weekly schedule.
Easy #1 (Light Intensity) - Enjoy this light intensity exercise routine for every level and ability, with modifications shown along the way.
Easy #2 (Light Intensity) - Enjoy this light intensity exercise routine for every level and ability, with modifications shown along the way.
Medium #1 (Medium Intensity) - Enjoy this medium intensity exercise routine for every level and ability, with modifications shown along the way.
Medium #2 (Medium Intensity) - Enjoy this medium intensity exercise routine for every level and ability, with modifications shown along the way.
Hard #1 (Advanced Intensity) - Enjoy this advanced intensity exercise routine for every level and ability, with modifications shown along the way.
Hard #2 (Advanced Intensity) - Enjoy this advanced intensity exercise routine for every level and ability, with modifications shown along the way.
Yoga - Join Erin Sullivan, NP and Lauren Winters, NP, a certified yoga instructor, as they guide you through this yoga video designed for every level and ability.
Cardio Dance - Enjoy this cardio dance workout video for every level and ability, with modifications along the way.
This 7-part virtual series explores strategies for staying well during the new year.
In this webinar Mass General physicians Amy Comander, MD and Shalu Ramchandani, MD join breast cancer thrivers Judy Levine and Maggie Plagge to discuss setting healthy goals for the new year.
In this webinar Loren Winters, NP, Christian Baglini, AGNP-BC, and Lynn Gray-Meltzer, PT from the Mass General Cancer Center discuss the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors.
Mass General Cancer Center Physical Therapist Lynn Gray-Meltzer, PT demonstrates simple ways to start building strength in your home.
In this webinar, Mass General Cancer Center senior clinical nutritionists Carol Sullivan, MS, RD and Ashley Draviam, MS, RD share their favorite foods, tips and tricks for stocking your pantry, fridge and freezer.
In this webinar Mass General physicians Rachel Millstein, PhD and April Hirschberg, MD discuss stress awareness and provide tips for managing stress in your life.
In this webinar, speakers Loren Winters, CNP, Nova Hodge, LICSW and Ugne Aleknaite, CNP discuss a key pillar of Lifestyle Medicine, the importance of social connections.
In this webinar, speakers Elyse Park, PhD, MPH, Rachel Rosen, MS and Joanna Streck, PhD present background on substance use among individuals with cancer, describe different cognitive and behavioral strategies for managing substance use and and provide resources at MGH for managing substance use.
In this webinar Mass General physicians Stephanie Eisenstat, MD and Shirly Ramchandani, MD join Heather Barto, breast cancer thriver, to discuss the importance of sleep and the impact of cancer on sleep.
Led by Director Amy Comander, MD, the Lifestyle Medicine Program’s multidisciplinary team of clinicians counsel cancer patients on how to benefit from the powerful, positive effects of exercise and other lifestyle changes.
Our support programs can help patients and their families cope with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
The Story Project is our effort to capture the stories from the people in our Mass General Cancer Center community.
Amy Comander, MD discusses the Lifestyle Medicine Program at Mass General Cancer Center and how "treating the whole person, not just the cancer, is essential in oncology care.”
Please contact the Lifestyle Medicine team if you have any questions about the Lifestyle Medicine program.