What to Do Before Your Treatment Begins

When you are healthy, eating enough food to get the nutrients you need is usually not a problem. In fact, most nutrition guidelines stress eating lots of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain products; consuming a moderate amount of low-fat meat and dairy foods; and cutting back on fat, sugar, alcohol and salt. During cancer treatment, however, this may become a challenge, especially if you experience side effects or simply don't feel well. As a result, your diet may need to be changed to help you build up strength and withstand the effects of your cancer and its treatment. Nutrition suggestions for people with cancer often emphasize eating lots of high-calorie, high-protein foods that increase protein such as milk, cheese and cooked eggs. If you experience weight loss, you may also be advised to eat more sauces and gravies and to include more butter, margarine or oil in your foods to boost calories. In addition, you may be encouraged to eat fewer high-fibre foods, because fibre can aggravate problems such as diarrhoea. When your cancer was first diagnosed, your doctor talked to you about a treatment plan. This may have involved surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy or some combination of treatments. All of these treatments kill cancer cells. But in the process, some healthy cells also become damaged.

That is what causes the side effects of cancer treatment. The following side effects can affect your ability to eat:

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss or gain
• Sore mouth or throat
• Dry mouth
• Dental and gum problems
• Changes in taste or smell
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Depression

You may or may not have any of these side effects. Many factors determine whether you will have any and how severe they will be. These factors include the type of cancer, the part of the body affected, the type and length of treatment, and the dose of treatment. Most side effects can be controlled and most go away after treatment ends. Talk to your doctor about your chances of having side effects and what they might be like.

Ways to Obtain the Nutrients You Need.

If you have cancer, you need to obtain enough nutrients to meet the following nutritional goals:
1. Prevent or reverse nutritional deficiencies
2. Minimize side effects of cancer and its treatment 
3. Maximize your quality of life 

By Mouth: If at all possible, try to meet your nutrient needs by eating and drinking nutritious foods and beverages. You may be able to obtain enough nutrients by eating high-calorie, high-protein meals supplemented with snacks, commercial liquid nutrition products and homemade drinks and shakes. If that proves to be too difficult, or if your calorie and nutrient needs have greatly increased, you may need to use a feeding tube.