From the Guidelines

Body fat percentage is a significant factor in cancer survivors, as it is associated with an increased risk of recurrence and mortality.

Maintaining a healthy weight and body composition is crucial for cancer survivors to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve overall survival 1.
Obesity is a risk factor for some cancers, such as postmenopausal breast cancer and colorectal cancer, and is associated with an increased risk of recurrence and mortality 1.
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through a combination of dietary and physical activity strategies can help reduce the risk of recurrence and improve overall health and well-being 1.
Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle for cancer survivors, and can help improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and body composition, while reducing fatigue, anxiety, and depression 1.
Dietary patterns that emphasize plant-based foods, whole grains, and lean protein sources can help support a healthy weight and reduce the risk of recurrence 1.

Cancer survivors should aim to maintain a healthy weight and body composition through a combination of dietary and physical activity strategies 1.
Adults should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, above usual activities, on 5 or more days of the week 1.
Cancer survivors should consume a healthy diet that emphasizes plant-based foods, whole grains, and lean protein sources, and limits processed and red meats, sugary drinks, and refined grains 1.

From the Research

Body fat percentage is a significant factor in cancer survivorship, as excess body fatness (EBF) can influence the quality of cancer survivorship and disease-free survival 2.
The excess of fat mass is related to an increased risk of incidence and recurrence of some types of cancer, and is identified as a major contributing factor for increased morbidity and mortality in cancer patients 3.
Maintaining a healthy body composition, including a healthy body fat percentage, is essential for cancer survivors, as it can have a positive impact on quality of life, response to treatment, and prognosis 3, 4.

A high body fat percentage can lead to a range of health problems, including increased risk of cancer recurrence, decreased functional capacity, and increased toxicity of anti-neoplastic treatments 3, 5.
On the other hand, maintaining a healthy body fat percentage can improve quality of life, reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, and improve treatment outcomes 4, 6.
Fitness is also an important indicator of health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and body composition in cancer survivors, with increased fitness correlating with better body composition and higher HR-QoL 6.

Monitoring and managing body fat percentage is crucial for cancer survivors, as it can help identify potential health problems early on and prevent complications 5.
A comprehensive approach to managing body fat percentage, including nutritional intervention, physical activity, and lifestyle changes, is essential for promoting healthy body composition and improving overall health outcomes 3, 4.
Healthcare providers should inform cancer survivors about the importance of maintaining a healthy body composition, including a healthy body fat percentage, and provide guidance on how to achieve and maintain it 6.