A New Study Suggests New Ideas to Overcome Pediatric Cancer

 The University of Texas Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital released a study this month showing that diet and exercise may improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Healthy eating is already encouraged during treatment but diet plans are uncommon. When it comes to physical activity, the study says, doctors are cautious when suggesting an exercise routine.

    The study also shows that obesity is a risk factor for several cancers and can lower survival rates. West Virginia has the highest obesity rate in the nation and more than a third of children ages 10 to 17 in the state are obese.

    In West Virginia, 1 in 285 children were diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and that is rising each year. The University of Texas research team says it plans to explore the impact diet and exercise have on chemotherapy and survival rates.