To Cancer : Complementary and Integrative Therapies of Cancer.

A number of cancer treatment side effects can be dangerous if allowed to go untreated. Some of these side effects are outlined as follows:
Loss of appetite

Loss of appetite  (anorexia) is commonly experienced after cancer treatment. The exact cause of appetite loss is unknown, but it may be due to the the cancer itself, side effects of cancer treatment (e.g. nausea), or to feeling upset.

Try the following strategies to manage appetite loss:

• Try not to miss meals.
• Small meals eaten more often may be easier to manage. Try to eat every 2–3 hours during the day. Serve small food portions.
• There may be times of the day when you feel more like eating. Take advantage of this by eating well at these times.
• Drink after and between meals. Avoid drinking fluids half an hour before meals and during mealtimes – they tend to fill you up, so that you eat less.
• Try liquid or powdered meal replacement , a useful option if you find it very difficult to eat.
• Treat yourself to your favourite foods.
• If you do not feel like preparing a meal, have frozen meals and a range of ready prepared foods and snacks on hand. Nourishing snacks include cheese and crackers, muffins, ice cream, peanut butter, fruit and pudding.
• Choosing a variety of different foods may help increase your appetite. For example, you may choose whole fresh fruit, mixing fruit into a milkshake, or canned fruit.
• Regular exercise may help improve your appetite.
• Enjoy meals as a social occasion – eat with family and friends whenever possible.

Weight loss

Many cancer patients lose weight during treatment. This may be due to the effects of the cancer itself, or to inadequate food intake due to the side effects of cancer treatment (e.g. nausea, sore mouth, taste changes). If you are underweight or losing weight, you need to include more protein and energy (calories or kilojoules) in your diet.

To achieve this, try:

• Including high protein foods, such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, legumes (e.g. baked beans, lentils), tofu, dairy products and nuts.
• Including high fat foods, such as oil, margarine, cream, avocado, salad dressing, mayonnaise and cream.
• Frequent snacking.

Weight gain

For some kinds of cancer patients may gain weight rather than lose it. The aim for all patients during cancer treatment is to maintain their body weight.

Weight gain may arise from fluid gain. Certain anti-cancer drugs can cause your body to hold on to excess fluid. This condition is called oedema . Patients with oedema may have to limit their salt intake, as salt causes your body to hold extra water. A diuretic may be prescribed to help your body get rid of excess fluid.

Weight gain may also be the result of increased appetite and eating extra food and energy. For patients with breast, prostate and ovarian cancer who are gaining weight, the following strategies may help prevent further weight gain and achieve weight maintenance during treatment:

• Consume moderate portion sizes of mostly vegetables, fruits, breads, cereals and other low fat foods as the basis of the diet.
• Choose lean meats (lean beef or pork trimmed of fat, chicken without skin) and low-fat dairy products.
• Choose low-fat and low-calorie cooking methods (broiling, steaming).
• Consume less oil, butter, mayonnaise, sugar-containing beverages (e.g. fruit juice, cordial, soft drink), sweets, and other ‘empty calorie’ foods such as sugar.
• Enjoy regular physical activity.

It may be helpful to discuss strategies specific for your needs with your dietitian.

Sore mouth or throat

Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or infection can result in mouth sores, tender gums, and a sore throat or oesophagus. Patients who have a sore mouth or throat are first of all advised to consult their doctor for a proper diagnosis of the problem. Your doctor can recommend medications to relieve mouth and throat  discomfort (e.g. anaesthetic mouthwash) and, if needed, treat mouth infections.

Dietary strategies to relieve a sore mouth and throat and assist with maintaining an adequate intake include:

• Avoid foods that may cause irritation (e.g. oranges, grapefruits, lemons, or other citrus fruit or juice; tomato sauces or juice; spicy or salty foods; raw vegetables; toast, crackers, or other rough, coarse or dry foods). Chopped, blended, diced or pureed foods may be easier to eat, as they require little or no chewing and are easy to swallow.
• Cook foods until they are soft and tender.
• Cut foods into small pieces.
• Use a blender or food processor to puree your food.
• Mix food with butter, margarine, thin gravy or sauce to make it easier to swallow.
• Use a straw to drink liquids.
• Use a smaller-than-usual spoon, such as a baby spoon.
• Try foods cold or at room temperature. Hot foods can irritate a tender mouth and throat.
• Try drinking warm bouillon or salty broth; it can soothe throat pain.
• If swallowing is difficult , tilting your head back or moving it forward may help.
• Rinse your mouth often with water to remove food and bacteria and to promote healing.
• Ask your doctor about anaesthetic lozenges and sprays that can numb your mouth and throat long enough for you to eat meals.

Nausea

Nausea, with or without vomiting, is a common side effect of cancer treatment. Nausea can stop you from eating enough food and maintaining your nutritional intake and weight.

Dietary strategies to manage nausea include:

• Discuss anti-nausea medications with your doctor.
• Avoid eating 1–2 hours before your treatment if this makes nausea worse. Try to ‘catch up’ with your meal after treatment.
• Avoid foods that:
  • Are fatty, greasy or fried
  • Are spicy or hot
  • Have strong odours
• Eat small amounts, often and slowly.
• Eat before you get hungry, because hunger can make feelings of nausea stronger.
• Avoid eating in a room that is stuffy, too warm, or has cooking odours that might disagree with you.
• Sip cold clear fluids (e.g. cordial, flat ginger ale, lemonade, diluted fruit juices, icy pole, jelly). This is particularly important for preventing dehydration  if you are vomiting.
• Have foods and drinks at room temperature or cooler; hot foods may add to nausea.
• Rest after meals, because activity may slow digestion. Rest while sitting up for about an hour after meals.
• Choose stomach-friendly foods (e.g. toast, crackers, yoghurt, angel food cake, cream of wheat, rice or oatmeal, boiled potatoes, noodles, baked or broiled skinned chicken, canned peaches or other soft, bland fruits and vegetables, and carbonated drinks).
• If vomiting continues after a day or two, contact your doctor or treatment centre.

Comments are closed.