Healthy Lifestyles Dramatically Lower Heart Disease Risk in Childhood Cancer Survivors
Two international studies led by researchers at the University of Gothenburg and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital indicate that healthy lifestyles can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and other complications in childhood cancer survivors.
Key Findings
Study 1: A Long-Term Look at Lifestyle vs. Treatment
- Published in Nature Communications (May 29, 2026).
- Over 18,000 childhood cancer survivors were followed for up to 30 years.
- Lifestyle factors (physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, high alcohol intake) account for a proportion of chronic health problems comparable to that attributed to previous cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy.
Study 2: The Specific Impact of Exercise
- Published in JACC: CardioOncology (Feb 17, 2026).
- In over 2,300 survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma, lack of regular exercise was associated with a 1.4 times higher incidence of cardiovascular disease compared to the total disease burden in the general population.
- This risk was twelve times higher than what could be explained by insufficient exercise in the general population.
- Notably, the researchers noted that differences in lifestyle habits between survivors and the general population were not large.
"This reveals that lifestyle plays a much bigger role than previously thought. Unlike the treatments already given, the lifestyle can actually be changed." – Dr. Aron Onerup
Researcher Statements
Dr. Aron Onerup, pediatrician and researcher at the University of Gothenburg and former postdoctoral fellow at St. Jude, offered further insight on the second study:
"Physical activity can make a big difference in reducing the extra risk that emerges after cancer treatment and modify the negative effects from cancer treatments. Our results provide strong scientific support for offering survivors structured support for healthy lifestyles."
Dr. Onerup also highlighted ongoing work:
"This is something we have partly taken into account in the national healthcare program for long-term follow-up after childhood cancer by emphasizing the importance of mapping lifestyle habits. What we are now working on is to develop and test ways to support these individuals to adopt long-term healthy lifestyles, through interventions both in childhood, adolescence, and in adulthood."
Implications
The researchers suggest that lifestyle support should become an integral part of long-term follow-up after childhood cancer. The evidence is clear: while past cancer treatments create a fixed risk, lifestyle habits represent a modifiable factor that can significantly alter health outcomes for the rest of a survivor's life.