Good nutrition and physical activity are important for cancer patients. Not only can they improve your quality of life and long-term survival, but these cancer treatment tips can also help you reduce your chance of cancer recurrence and better manage side effects that are associated with certain cancer treatments.
Getting enough calories and protein, as well as making wise food choices, are both important aspects of nutrition during cancer treatment. However, because everyone is different, there is no way to know if you will have difficulty eating, and if so, how bad it will be.
Changes in nutritional needs vary among patients. Sometimes, it’s due to the cancer itself. Other times, it’s because of side effects (e.g. nausea, loss of appetite) from treatment. Regardless, changes like these can make it both challenging to eat and to eat enough.
Consuming a healthy and well-balanced diet during cancer treatment can help you feel better and stay stronger. A healthy diet includes eating and drinking enough to maintain the nutrients the body needs including vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Plus it’s important to stay hydrated. For most people, this includes a diet that consists of:
People with cancer, however, often need that and more. This is because the illness and the treatment can affect your appetite as well as your body's ability to tolerate certain foods and use nutrients. When you have cancer, you may need to increase your calorie and protein intake. This means you will need to choose high-calorie, high-protein foods as often as possible in order to compensate for any nutritional loss.
Keep in mind that calorie needs during cancer are not the same for everyone. Factors such as your weight, height, the presence of side effects, and type(s) of cancer treatment must be taken into consideration when deciding what and when to eat.
Nutrition therapy is often used to help cancer patients keep a healthy body weight, maintain strength, keep body tissue healthy, and decrease side effects both during and after treatment. A registered dietitian (or nutritionist) is an important part of the health care team and can work with patients, their families, and the rest of the cancer care team to help the patient manage their nutritional needs during and after cancer treatment. If you start to have eating problems such as loss of appetite, dry or sore mouth, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, weight loss or weight gain, constipation, or diarrhea, tell your cancer care team right away so.
In addition to paying attention to what to eat and how much to eat, cancer patients must also pay attention to how food is handled and prepared. Cancer patients are at a greater risk of suffering a foodborne illness because of their weakened immune systems. Because of the higher risk, it is important that additional food safety practices are used at all times.
Be sure to consult with your oncologist or dietary advisor if you have any questions about the safety of particular foods. When uncertain, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recommends to “throw it out when in doubt.”
For additional information regarding common food problems triggered by cancer treatment, how to deal with them, and recipes that can help you meet your nutritional needs, download the National Cancer Institute’s booklet Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment.
In the past, cancer patients were often told by their doctors to rest and reduce their physical activity. New research, however, indicates that physical activity may have beneficial effects for several aspects of cancer for patients and survivors--specifically, weight gain, quality of life, cancer recurrence or progression, and prognosis (likelihood of survival). It can also help with side effects, such as fatigue, anxiety, and stress, which are often experienced during treatment.
Lack of physical activity can lead to loss of body function, muscle weakness, and reduced range of motion. Because of this, many cancer care teams are urging their patients to be as physically active as possible both during and after cancer treatment.
Because every patient is different, fitness regimens are not one-size-fits-all. Each patient’s exercise program should be based on what is safe for them and what they can handle. The type and stage of cancer you have, the treatment you are receiving, and your ability to perform (e.g. stamina, strength, fitness level) are some factors that can affect how much you are able to exercise.
Always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. While some people can safely begin or maintain a low-to-moderate exercise program on their own, others may need to seek help from a professional, such as a physical therapist or exercise specialist. Your oncologist or hematologist will be able to help you understand what you can and can’t do.
Remember, even a little bit of physical activity can be beneficial. It’s okay to start slowly and then gradually work your way up. Exercise as you are able and don’t push yourself while in treatment. As you exercise, be sure to listen to your body.