In an effort to reduce poor health among taxi drivers, many of whom suffer from cardiovascular disease, and cancer risk resulting from stress, diet, inactive life style, and exposure to the environment, the National Institutes of Health awarded a grant to MSK to improve the health of this population. One component of the initiative will be to launch a cardiovascular risk reduction exercise study.

Ten percent of patients who survive cancer still smoke 10 years after their initial diagnosis. The American Cancer Society study in which this was reported highlighted how difficult it is to quit, and pointed to the need for doctors to exert more influence on survivors. Dr. Jamie Ostroff, Director of MSK’s tobacco treatment program, weighed in saying, “there is scientific evidence that quitting smoking improves cancer patients’ prognosis.”

A study carried out by MSK and headed by Dr. Jennifer Ford of the psychiatry and behavioral sciences department, has shown that young women who are survivors of childhood cancer may suffer sexual dysfunction many years after their cancer treatment.  The women in the study reported less interest in sex, less desire and less satisfaction as compared to their sisters who never had cancer.

A comprehensive study of childhood cancer survivors has shown that one in four will develop coronary artery disease by age 50, brought on by radiation and/or anthracycline treatment. The encouraging news is that research carried out by MSK along with 6 other North American cancer centers, has demonstrated the effects of exercise on survivors of childhood Hodgkin’s lymphoma.   MSK’s Dr. Lee Jones reported that the more exercise patients did each week, the smaller their chances of developing cardiovascular problems.