Colorectal cancer affects the colon and the rectum. Colorectal cancer and its treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, may cause changes in your appetite and your bowel habits, making it difficult to eat well. While eating well may be a challenge, good nutrition is very important for people with cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, good nutrition can help to boost your immune system, prevent excessive weight loss, help you maintain your strength and energy levels and help your body heal faster from surgery and cancer treatments.
Diarrhea
Because colorectal cancer affects the lower portion of the digestive tract, you may experience diarrhea. This can be caused by the cancer itself, or by cancer treatments. Modifying the foods you eat can help you manage your diarrhea while still nourishing your body. Foods that are greasy, spicy or overly sweet can make diarrhea worse, and should be limited. Foods that are high in fiber, such as legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grain products and fresh fruits and vegetables can also make diarrhea worse and should be limited, as well. Instead, try foods that are easy to digest, including white toast, white rice, applesauce, bananas, oatmeal, crackers and yogurt. Drink clear liquids, such as sports drinks, tea, broth, water and apple juice frequently throughout the day to avoid dehydration.
Poor Appetite
For some people with colorectal cancer, the bulk of the tumor may make them feel full after only eating a small amount of food. Cancer treatments can also cause a decrease in appetite. If you experience a poor appetite, try eating six to eight small meals and snacks throughout the day. Large meals may seem overwhelming if you have a poor appetite, but small, frequent meals and snacks may seem more manageable. Try to think of food as part of your cancer treatment plan and eat on a schedule, just as you would take a medication.
Weight Loss
Diarrhea and a poor appetite associated with colorectal cancer can lead to weight loss. Preventing weight loss while undergoing cancer treatments is the most important nutrition-related goal, according to the American Cancer Society. If your weight is on a downward trend, you can increase the protein and calories in the foods you eat by adding extra butter, sauces, gravy, syrup, or shredded cheese. Powdered milk can be added to smoothies, milkshakes, casseroles, scrambled eggs, hot cereal and soups as another effective way to increase the protein content of your foods.
Professional Resources
If eating well has become a challenge or you have concerns about your nutrition, consult a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian can assess your nutritional status and help you find solutions to your nutritional challenges. A dietitian can also help you design an eating plan that will allow you to manage any side-effects of colorectal cancer and its treatment, while still giving your body the nutrition it needs to stay healthy and strong.
References
- University of Maryland Medial Center: Colorectal Cancer;
- National Cancer Institute: Nutrition in Cancer Care
- American Cancer Society: Nutrition For the Person With Cancer During Treatment
- CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians; Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: An American Cancer Society Guide for Informed Choices; Jean K. Brown, et al.; 2003
