Nutrition is likely one of the last things on your mind if you've been diagnosed with terminal colon cancer, but coming up with a diet that is rich in nutrients and tastes good can help treat some of the side effects of treatment as well as the progression of the disease. The American Cancer Society suggests discussing any lack of appetite with a health care provider who may be able to offer suggestions or medications for increasing appetite.
Description
In the United States, the mortality rate for men with colorectal cancers is 9.9 per 100,000, and for women it's 7.7 per 100,000, according to statistics kept by the National Cancer Institute. Colon cancer is considered terminal when it reaches stage four and has begun to affect other organs in the body. At this stage, roughly eight out of 10 patients begin to lose their appetites as the cancer spreads throughout their bodies and death nears.
Challenges
Taste and smell are both affected by cancer and cancer treatment, so food simply may not taste the same or as good as it used to. Simple flavors and easy-to-digest foods may tempt the taste buds more than a traditional heavy meal. Additionally, mouth sores can make chewing difficult. Terminal colon cancer patients may feel more comfortable drinking nutrition-packed drinks such as Ensure or Boost. Or you may prepare soft foods such as mashed vegetables and chopped chicken that are easy to eat and digest.
Foods to Avoid
A terminal cancer patient can usually eat whatever he wants if he is experiencing a craving. However, in general you should avoid highly processed or greasy foods as they are difficult to digest and contain little actual nutrition. Eating greasy or processed foods will likely increase side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. However, some terminal patients derive pleasure from a hamburger from their favorite restaurant or a meatloaf recipe from their childhood. Don't be surprised if the patient takes one bite and is done, though, as appetite diminishes as the cancer progresses.
Foods to Encourage
Look for nutrition-dense foods such as fruits and vegetables, and prepare them with healthy oils such as olive or canola oil. The experts at Colon Cancer Research suggest limiting saturated fats and choosing whole grains and using raw fruits. As the cancer progresses, raw fruits can be pureed into sauces or smoothies to make eating them easier.
