Tuesday Concurrent Block 2: Bridging the Gap Between the Forest and Trees: LM in Cancer Risk Reduction to Improve Outcomes.
Approximately 42% of cancer cases and 45% of cancer deaths in the United States are linked to lifestyle-related risk factors, including excess weight, poor diet, and physical inactivity. These findings, based on a recent study published in Cancer, highlight the critical role of modifiable behaviors in cancer prevention. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) estimates that nearly half of the most common U.S. cancers could be prevented by addressing these and other modifiable risk factors that fall into the six pillars of lifestyle medicine. Regular cancer screenings are a cornerstone of healthcare, but they often overlook opportunities to engage patients in lifestyle changes that reduce cancer and chronic disease risk. By integrating behavior change strategies into routine screenings, healthcare organizations can enhance cancer prevention efforts while leveraging established care practices that appeal to hospital administrators. This approach recognizes multiple pathways to improve outcomes through increased awareness, access, and use of health-related changes. Professionals can adopt an "inside-out" strategy by embedding lifestyle medicine directly into clinical care or an "outside-in" approach by influencing health behaviors through community initiatives. Integrating lifestyle-focused risk-reducing behaviors into screenings offers a dual benefit: increasing billable revenue for healthcare organizations and fostering healthy behaviors that create a ripple effect on family and community health. This presentation will showcase three examples of implementing lifestyle medicine to meet diverse population needs, demonstrating both "forest-first" and "trees-first" approaches for effective engagement. Each case study highlights program features and presents a compelling business case for each approach. First, we will showcase a case study of a Lifestyle Medicine Prevention Clinic integrated into a genetic testing program. This clinic serves individuals undergoing genetic testing due to high cancer risk. Research shows that inherited genetic mutations contribute to approximately 5-10% of all cancers, with specific mutations, such as those in BRCA1 and BRCA2, significantly increasing the risk for cancers like breast and ovarian cancers. While the initial focus of the clinic is on genetic predisposition, it leverages this touchpoint to evaluate lifestyle behaviors that may further contribute to cancer risk. Led by certified health coaches, the clinic offers a personalized prevention approach. Patients undergo a comprehensive assessment of their lifestyle habits, including diet, physical activity, weight management, and tobacco use. Based on these evaluations, they set achievable health goals and are connected to tailored programs such as nutrition counseling, smoking cessation support, and exercise plans. This dual focus on genetics and modifiable behaviors allows for a more comprehensive strategy to reduce cancer risk. The integration of lifestyle medicine into the care of hematological cancers, including multiple myeloma, offers a significant opportunity to enhance diagnosis and treatment outcomes. One example, the NUTRIVENTION program, combines cutting-edge research with patient education to examine the role of modifiable lifestyle factors—such as diet and microbiome health—in the progression of plasma cell disorders. The program’s multifaceted approach includes investigating the potential of dietary interventions in conjunction with standard practice, to improve survival and quality of life. By leveraging academic clinical trials and being involved in community patient advocacy events, NUTRIVENTION provides patients with evidence-based strategies to mitigate disease progression. This comprehensive framework empowers individuals to take actionable steps towards better outcomes while advancing the broader understanding of lifestyle medicine in hematological oncology. Finally, lifestyle medicine and weight management program that was successfully implemented within a multi-facility for-profit healthcare system by leveraging hospital credentialing requirements. This approach emphasized both screening and awareness, with automatic enrollment for interested patients and healthcare professionals into a program focused on the six pillars of lifestyle medicine. Additionally, the program incorporated awareness of obesity into its screening questionnaires, highlighting associated risks and providing actionable strategies. From a community-first perspective, the program increased screening rates by using an interactive survey to assess participants’ knowledge of risk-reducing behaviors and readiness for change. The survey also included a call-to-action, encouraging engagement. Participants reported a higher perceived value of their screening visits as a result. The lifestyle program engaged hospital staff, including dietitians, rehabilitation specialists, and advanced practice providers, to deliver education. It also offered a fully virtual option, creating flexibility and expanding accessibility. This approach not only enhanced awareness of lifestyle medicine but also introduced healthcare professionals to a multidisciplinary care model. The program’s scalability enabled its expansion into additional facilities, communities, and a standalone model that supports both healthcare teams and consumer audiences.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze the role of modifiable risk factors in cancer prevention and evaluate the influence of lifestyle-related factors such as diet, physical activity, and weight management on cancer incidence/mortality.
- Articulate strategies to integrate behavior change into routine screenings and explain how to embed lifestyle medicine principles into clinical workflows to enhance cancer prevention and patient engagement.
- Evaluate case studies of lifestyle medicine implementation and appraise examples, such as the NUTRIVENTION program and a genetic testing clinic, to identify successful practices in reducing cancer risk.
- Develop a business case for lifestyle medicine programs in healthcare settings and formulate arguments that highlight the financial and operational benefits of lifestyle medicine integration for healthcare organizations.
- Compare “Inside-Out” and “Outside-In” implementation strategies and distinguish between approaches that focus on direct clinical care versus community-driven initiatives to expand the impact of lifestyle medicine.
- Sami Mansfield, ASCM-CET
- Paola Rossi, MD, MSEd
- Urvi A. Shah, MD
Available Credit
- 1.00 AAFP Prescribed
The AAFP has reviewed Tuesday Concurrent Block 2: Bridging the Gap Between the Forest and Trees: LM in Cancer Risk Reduction to Improve Outcomes. and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Term of Approval is from 11/15/2025 to 1/15/2026. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.00 ABIM Medical Knowledge
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participation completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
- 1.00 ABLM MOC
The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 1.00 maintenance of certification credits (MOC) for this learning activity.
- 1.00 ABS Accredited CME
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
- 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacists.
- 1.00 ACPE Technician
Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacy technicians.
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Rush Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.00 ANCC
Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 nursing contact hour(s).
- 1.00 APA
Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 CE credits in psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship in the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
- 1.00 ASWB
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Rush University Medical Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved continuing education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.
- 1.00 Attendance
Successful completion of this course activity, including active participation in the evaluation component, entitles the learner to receive a participation certificate from ACLM. Please note that this certificate is offered solely in recognition of engagement, and no academic or professional credit is awarded.
- 1.00 CPEU
This Enduring material has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Completion of this activity awards 1.00 CPEUs.
- 1.00 NBC-HWC
The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) has approved 1.00 continuing education credits for this learning activity: .
- 1.00 Occupational Therapy CE
Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.
- 1.00 Participation (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for non-MDs)
Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.00 Physical Therapy CE
Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

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