The pancreas is involved in digesting food as well as absorbing nutrients, and pancreatic cancer and its treatment can severely impact an individual's nutrition. The body needs extra calories and protein during times of serious illness and recovery to heal tissues and maintain the immune system and overall health. There are ways to promote nutrition for an individual with pancreatic cancer to aid in her recovery process. Consult with the medical treatment team and a dietitian to construct a meal plan that is best for the patient.
Step 1
Prepare small meals every one to two hours, instead of the traditional three meals, suggests the National Cancer Institute. Pain, tumors, nausea or digestive problems may make it hard to consume large quantities of food. Small snacks such as a milkshake, liquid supplement drink, cheese and crackers or muffins can help provide the patient with necessary calories and nutrients without being overwhelming.
Step 2
Give the patient pancreatic enzyme pills to help the patient's body digest food more easily. These are prescribed by a doctor to replace the enzymes the pancreas normally produces for digestion. This may alleviate pain the patient may be feeling after eating, says Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
Step 3
Provide the patient with bland or soft foods if she is experiencing nausea. Have the patient sip fluids throughout the day to avoid dehydration, and have the patient refrain from lying down, if possible, for one hour after eating, suggests the National Cancer Institute.
Step 4
Administer insulin and check blood sugars as directed by the dietitian or endocrinologist. According to JoAnn Coleman, an oncology nurse practitioner at Johns Hopkins, insulin and a diabetic diet may be necessary if the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. Talk with the patient's treatment team about how to manage this through diet.
Step 5
Add protein and calories to foods the patient eats to help prevent weight loss. Adding cheese, nuts, dried fruits or granola to dishes and using whole milk instead of skim are ways to boost the nutritional value of meals.
Tips and Warnings
- Find out what the patient can tolerate and what meals she enjoys eating, and serve them often. This may encourage her to eat more and boost her caloric intake. Work with a dietitian or nutritionist to create appropriate meals. The doctor or endocrinologist may be able to refer you to one that specializes in pancreatic cancer patients.
- Consult with the health-care team about what foods are appropriate for the patient and what kinds of foods to avoid. If the patient is unable to eat, notify the treatment team. Some patients need feeding tubes temporarily to provide them with the sufficient amount of calories and nutrients the body needs.
