Treatment for cancer is demanding, but even after treatment, the body is working hard to rebuild itself and recover from a serious illness and the drugs or radiation to which is has been subjected. Good nutrition helps the body repair tissues and muscles and promotes overall health and well-being. Before, during and after cancer treatment, talk with your treatment team about your cancer treatment and nutrition guidelines you should follow for optimal health.
Role of Nutrition
Good nutrition helps keep you healthy when you do not have cancer, but if you do have cancer, nutrition becomes even more important. During cancer treatment, tissues in the body break down and are weakened, and adequate nutrition helps to repair and rebuild tissues, provides strength to fight the cancer and withstand demanding treatments, helps fight infection and may even help improve quality of life and chances of survival. Getting enough calories and protein is important, as these will help the body heal and rebuild itself.
Nutrition During Treatment
During treatment, depending on the kind of treatment you receive, you may have side effects that impact your nutrition. Radiation to the head or neck can cause dry mouth, trouble swallowing and pain with swallowing. Chemotherapy drugs can cause mouth sores, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation and stomach pain, which can also interfere with eating and nutrition. Pureeing vegetables or fruits, adding protein powder to shakes and smoothies and drinking meal replacement shakes can all help provide you with calories and protein. Find the foods you can tolerate, and eat them as you desire. Stay hydrated by sipping drinks throughout the day; this can make fluids easier to tolerate.
Nutrition After Treatment
Once your treatment has ended, it is still important to follow a healthy diet, as good nutrition may help reduce the risk of recurrence. Obesity is linked to not only a higher risk of developing cancer but to a higher risk of cancer recurrence. A high-fat diet and sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity, whereas a healthy diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and monounsaturated fats like in olive oil can reduce the likelihood of your becoming obese. Taking a multivitamin may be appropriate to provide you with any nutrients you may be lacking through your diet. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to take any vitamins before you consume them.
Considerations
Depending on the kind of cancer you have and the treatment you receive, some foods may especially irritate your stomach or cause discomfort. Talk with your treatment team or nutritionist about foods you should avoid during treatment and when you can start to reintroduce these foods into your diet. Ask your team about nutrients you should be taking special care to include in your diet and what nutrients you need to avoid any deficiencies.
References
- American Cancer Society; Nutrition for the Person With Cancer During Treatment; Radiation Therapy; August 2010
- National Cancer Institute; Overview of Nutrition in Cancer Care; December 2010
- American Cancer Society; Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: Answers to Common Questions; April 2010
