People with cancer may find it difficult to keep up healthy eating habits. The cancer itself can use large amounts of nutrients. It can cause chemical changes leading to a loss of appetite. Depression, anxiety, and emotional stress may also contribute to a loss of appetite. Special nutrition may be needed for persons experiencing physical and emotional side effects from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Don't wait until you have lost weight to begin thinking about good food habits. You need to prevent diet and weight loss problems before they start. Do all you can to keep eating your daily intake of protein and vitamins, right from the time you find out you have cancer.
You can prevent weight loss and malnutrition, and even gain weight, if you make an effort to eat the right amounts of food rich in:
Helpful booklets and cookbooks that offer ways to improve your diet include:
The phone number for your county agricultural extension office is listed in the phone book. You can also call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.
It is vital to get facts from a valid source. There are many people who promote quick easy diet cures for cancer. These plans are not proven, may be harmful and are often very costly. You must check out all organizations or people who promote a "special diet" to prevent or cure cancer.
Registered dietitians should have at least a college bachelor's degree. Some have a master's or doctoral degree. They must meet the guidelines of the American Dietetic Association to call themselves dietitians. But anyone can refer to himself or herself as a "nutritionist." A trained nutritionist must have a degree from an approved college.
In some states, there is an effort to license dietitians and nutritionists. If this effort meets with success, the public will be assured the people calling themselves "nutritionists" have proper training. Until this happens, it is important that the patient beware. Beware of any group that promotes a diet needing special supplies, special foods, or depends on only one food group.
Most insurance plans do not cover the cost of a nutritional service. It's important to check your plan. If your doctor recommends this service as part of your treatment, then some insurance groups will pay for a dietary service and special dietary supplements.
Your diet is just as important in your treatment plan as taking medicine or seeing your doctor.
Eat many kinds of foods to ensure your diet remains balanced and healthy:
Increase protein by using "double strength" milk. Add one cup of non-fat dry milk to one quart of whole milk for drinking and cooking.
Food in the local stores can meet the needs of all people, even those with cancer. You do not have to spend money on special foods or extra vitamins found only in health food stores.
Some people being treated for cancer may need to be on a special diet. Examples might be low fiber and bland diets. Your doctor, nurse, or dietitian will provide the special instructions as needed.
This Fact Sheet is adapted from the book, Helping People Cope: A Guide for Families Facing Cancer, written by Joan F. Hermann, ACSW, Sandra L. Wojtkowiak, RN, MSN, Peter S. Houts, PhD, and S. Benham Kahn, MD, and supported by the Pennsylvania Cancer Control Program of the Pennsylvania Department of Health; 1990 Revised Edition.
c 1993, American Cancer Society, Inc.
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