Today's Guest Blog: The Value of Eating Well During Cancer Treatment by David Haas

Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy -- all of these cancer treatments can be hard on the body. Eating well during treatment can help cancer patients feel better, function better and improve their chance of recovery. Doctors and nutritionists can work with patients to create healthy cancer diets.

Healthy Foods

Doctors and nutritionists do not recommend foods as a way to destroy tumors and kill cancer. No single food can do this. However, healthy foods can give the body the strength and energy it needs to fight cancer and cope with treatment side effects.

 When people battle cancer, extreme diets can leave them short on life-saving nutrients. Color and variety ensure a well-balanced diet, and plant-based foods are generally healthier than animal-based products. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and 100-percent juices supply the body with key nutrients. Whole grains and cereals provide important fiber.

Poor Appetite

Cancer treatments cause a loss of appetite, so eating well is hard for most patients. Other symptoms also impact nutrition and digestion. Among them are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, sore throat, pain and depression.   

Malnutrition is a real and dangerous threat for many cancer patients. According to the National Cancer Institute, malnourishment plays a role in up to 40 percent of all cancer-related deaths. Eating well during treatment can increase the chance of survival, and nutrition therapy can help.

Nutrition Therapy

Patients who cannot eat normally because of cancer treatment face a number of health risks, such as drastic weight loss, unhealthy blood counts and depleted nutrient stores. Nutrition therapy can help alleviate the side effects, prevent treatment delays and improve overall health.

Nutrition therapy for cancer patients may include simple dietary changes, between-meal supplement drinks, tube feedings and intravenous nutrition therapy. Nutrition therapy is especially important for cancer patients who receive stem cell transplants.

Dietary Supplements

When people are diagnosed with common cancers like prostate, breast or lung cancer, or with rare diseases like mesothelioma or heart cancer, it is tempting to supplement the diet with nutritional supplements and herbal remedies.

 
When recommended by a doctor or nutritionist, dietary supplements can be a good way to meet nutritional needs. Multivitamins and botanicals can interfere with some treatments, however, so they should always be discussed with a doctor. - David Haas