DIGNITY HEALTH

4 reasons cancer survivors should focus on food

Mar 30, 2016, 10:17 AM | Updated: Mar 31, 2016, 11:11 am

...

This article is Sponsored by Dignity Health.

For patients undergoing cancer treatment, and for cancer survivors, food and diet are incredibly important.

At the University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, cancer survivors and their caregivers receive free nutrition education and individualized nutrition plans.

“A dietician plays an integral part in the whole comprehensive center,” registered dietician Lee Renda said. “Our physicians use us to help patients get over side effects from chemo treatment or radiation. We also work with our supportive care for the survivorship diets to make sure our patients are eating well.”

Lack of appetite is common during cancer treatment. Some treatments can even make food taste unpleasant. As a result, cancer patients must make a conscious effort to eat the right kinds and amounts of food to ensure their bodies have what they need.

Here are some suggestions for better nutrition during a cancer diagnosis.

• Choose nutrient rich foods like nuts, seeds, beans, whole grain cereals, colorful fruits and vegetables
• Eat small meals throughout the day
• Eat at a scheduled times instead of only when hungry
• Make meals taste good by using fresh herbs and spices
• Keep nutritious, easy to prepare foods handy

Here are some reasons nutrition and diet are important for cancer patients.

Food can help lessen side effects    dignity-diet-article (1)

Cancer treatments can cause a range of side effects such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, loss of smell or taste and more. Oncologynutrition.org provides information about how many of these symptoms can be mitigated by the right diet.

Your immune system needs protection

In recent years, there have been many reported instances of contaminated food making people sick. For someone weakened by cancer treatments food-borne illnesses could be life-threatening. To stay safe, avoid eating at buffets, salad bars or self-service restaurants. WebMD.com advises you to scrub and rinse fruits and vegetables and avoid eating those that you can’t wash easily, such as raspberries. All types of meat should be thoroughly cooked and eggs should not be runny.

You can heal faster

The National Cancer Institute notes while the role of nutrition in cancer treatment is not always fully understood, good nutrition practices can help cancer patients maintain weight and necessary nutritional stores. Proper nutrition can lessen the risk and severity of infections and other complications of cancer treatments.

You’ll feel better

Nutrition has both a physical and emotional impact on people. When people eat wholesome meals they generally have a more positive outlook about life and about themselves. The process of planning, preparing and eating a balanced and nutritional diet can boost optimism and confidence.

Good nutrition is just one aspect of supportive care for cancer survivors. To be most effective, it needs to be combined with rehabilitative efforts, emotional support groups, pain management, spiritual assistance and more. A medical facility that specializes in cancer treatment should be able to provide information about options for support services.

 

Dignity_300x50_UACCIf you would like to talk with a counselor about nutrition during your cancer diagnosis, contact an expert at

The University of Arizona Cancer Center at St. Joseph’s.

 

Dignity Health

...

C.RENEE

The Concussion Discussion: Understanding the risks facing today’s athletes

We have entered an age of enlightenment on the topic of concussions. Advancements in technology and research have changed the game for everyone, from the high-stakes world of professional athletes to youth sports staged on the grass-roots level. Concussions are no longer marginalized.  The dangers and long-term consequences of brain trauma can no longer be […]

6 years ago

summer vacation, holidays, friendship and people concept - close up of smiling young women in sungl...

Flint Stephens, Writer for Brandforge

Skin Cancer in Arizona: Stats, facts and new immunotherapy drugs making strides

With some of the nation’s hottest and brightest sunshine, Arizona is near the top when it comes to skin cancer rates, and Arizonans should take particular care against sun exposure. In Arizona, 18.8 people per 100,000 developed melanoma skin cancer in 2013, the most recent year for which data is available, according to the Centers for […]

8 years ago

...

Flint Stephens, Writer for Brandforge

Genetic testing could hold answers for colon cancer survival

The Human Genome Project was a 13-year-long, publicly funded project initiated in 1990 to determine the entire DNA sequence of the human genome. While the Project was declared complete in April, 2003 the advancements of genetic testing continues to evolve. The sequencing of the human genome holds benefits for many fields such as forensic science, […]

8 years ago

...

Flint Stephens, Writer for Brandforge

Breast cancer: Improved testing and treatments means more survivors

Despite ongoing efforts to find a cure, it is estimated over 300,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is never welcome news. Fortunately, even with the number of breast cancer patients on the rise, the number of survivors are also rising, giving hope to women everywhere. In fact, […]

8 years ago

...

Flint Stephens, Writer for Brandforge

Diet, exercise and aspirin: 3 tools to fight colon cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death and the third most common form of cancer among men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to an article about American Cancer Society guidelines, behaviors such as avoiding exposure to tobacco products, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active throughout life and […]

8 years ago

...

Rachel Harris, Health Contributor for Brandforge

The virus that keeps head and neck cancers on the rise

Where does cancer come from, and how can it be avoided? This is a question scientists are trying hard to answer. But oral cancers that occur in the head and neck are on the rise and the root of the cause is not what you might think. Oropharyngeal cancers happen in the throat and mouth, or pharynx. Tobacco […]

8 years ago

4 reasons cancer survivors should focus on food