A new study from American Cancer Society scientists shows that following healthy lifestyle guidelines benefits cancer survivors. In an analysis of nearly 4,000 nonsmoking participants in the Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort who were diagnosed with obesity-related cancers, those who stayed physically active, ate a healthy diet, limited alcohol consumption and maintained a healthy weight both before and after their diagnosis—as well as those who improved their habits after diagnosis—had a lower risk of death. Survivors who followed the guidelines had a 24% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 21% lower risk of cancer-related death.

“These findings underscore how making the right lifestyle choices truly affects cancer survival,” says lead study author Yin Wang, PhD.