Malnutrition -- A Cancer Concern
Good nutrition is important, especially if a person has cancer. Cancer itself, and cancer treatment, can affect the appetite and how the body digests, absorbs and uses food. When the body is depleted of essential nutrients, it becomes malnourished.
Approximately 65-70 percent of oncology patients suffer from malnutrition. Cancer-related malnutrition can make a person tired, weak and unable to receive the treatments needed to get better. If you’re working with a cancer patient, here is some information you can share.
Cancer-Related Symptoms That Can Affect Nutrition Status
Cancer and its treatment can cause the following side effects, making it difficult to stay nourished:
• Loss of appetite
• Changes in taste or smell
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Weight loss or gain
• Oral complications (mouth sores, difficulty swallowing)
• GI disturbances (diarrhea, constipation)
• Fatigue
• Depression
Consequences of Malnutrition for People With Cancer
Even if you’re able to eat, some cancers, like those affecting the digestive tract, interfere with the body’s ability to digest, absorb or properly metabolize nutrients from food. When your body doesn’t get essential nutrients, malnutrition occurs.
Malnutrition can hamper your ability to heal and recover from cancer in significant ways. Studies show that well-nourished patients can tolerate treatment better -- with fewer complications -- and recuperate faster after treatment, while malnourished patients experience more treatment delays or interruptions and longer hospital stays.
How Nutrition Therapy Can Help During Cancer Treatment
Nutrition and metabolic support during cancer care can keep you strong and provide the nutrients your body needs to tolerate and recover from treatment. The stronger the body, the faster it can heal.
Specifically, good nutrition during cancer treatment can provide the following benefits:
• Support immune function
• Preserve lean body mass
• Rebuild body tissue
• Increase energy and strength
• Decrease risk of infection
• Improve quality of life
Ways to Maintain Good Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
Nutrition and metabolic support can keep you strong and nourished before, during and after cancer treatment. Based on your individual situation, your healthcare team may suggest any of the following to help you get the nutrients you need:
• A high-protein, high-calorie diet
• Vitamin and mineral supplementation
• Nutritional powders, shakes and smoothies
• Medications to relieve pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Enteral nutrition (given through a tube inserted into the stomach or intestine)
• Parenteral nutrition (delivered directly into the blood through a vein)
Note: This information isn’t intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always advise a cancer patient you’re working with to seek the advice of his/her physician or other qualified healthcare provider regarding nutrition and metabolic support during cancer care.
Tips for Staying Nourished During Cancer Treatment
• Recruit a nutrition team. A metabolic support team can help you stay nourished throughout treatment and manage other conditions alongside cancer, such as diabetes. For example, an oncology dietitian can suggest a well-balanced diet and a naturopathic clinician can recommend appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation.
• Assess nutrition early on. It’s important to address any nutritional problems as early as possible, before malnourishment sets in. A dietitian can provide a nutrition assessment to evaluate your nutrition status, identify micronutrient needs or inadequacies, and determine the most appropriate nutrition interventions for you.
• Don't force yourself to eat. It can be difficult to make dietary changes if you don’t have an appetite or if you’re experiencing nausea, mouth sores or other symptoms. Take your time when eating, chewing slowly and thoroughly. Try to eat what appeals to you whenever you can and take advantage of days when you have a good appetite.
• Adjust your eating patterns. If your appetite is better in the morning, eat earlier in the day. To regulate bowel movements, try to eat at the same time each day. Instead of large meals, eat small, frequent meals and healthy snacks throughout the day. Since your taste buds may change often, keep a variety of foods on hand.
• Make healthy food choices. Eating a well-balanced diet can help the body tolerate treatments, fight infection and rebuild tissue. Choose healthy foods that are high in protein and calories. Try a plant-based diet, whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. Some high-protein snacks include peanut butter and crackers, cheese and crackers and nuts.
• Consider your symptoms. Pay attention to your symptoms. If you’re constipated, slowly increase fiber and water intake. If foods taste strong, try plain crackers and toast. If foods taste bland, sour-tasting foods can stimulate your taste buds. If gas is a problem, limit carbonated beverages and cruciferous vegetables. If foods taste metallic, use plastic utensils. If you have mouth sores, avoid acidic drinks.
• Avoid unhealthy habits. Avoid alcohol and tobacco, which can impair your immune system, make taste changes worse and cause dehydration. Stay away from white, refined products, simple sugars, cakes, candy, processed foods, red meats, caffeine, and foods that are hot, greasy, fried, spicy, and fatty.
• Get creative. Experiment with different foods that smell and taste good to you. Try flavoring foods with seasonings and spices to improve the taste. If you can’t eat solid foods, try liquid or powdered meal replacements, shakes and smoothies.
• Stay hydrated. Cancer and its treatment can make you dehydrated, which can cause nausea, constipation and other side effects. Try to drink plenty of fluids (e.g., 8-10 glasses of water) each day. Also try unsweetened juice, ginger ale, broths or sports drinks. If swallowing is difficult, suck on ice chips or popsicles.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is important for staying on your treatment schedule. If you feel up to it (and if your doctor permits), try light exercise each day to increase muscle. A rehabilitation therapist can help develop an appropriate exercise program for you.
• Practice good oral hygiene. Rinse your mouth often, especially before and after meals, to keep it clean and remove any bad tastes or odors. Gently brush your teeth, gums and tongue with a soft bristled toothbrush before and after meals. Sugar-free mints, gum, lemon drops, etc. can help relieve mouth dryness.
• Make mealtime comfortable. Eat in a comfortable, relaxed environment. Don’t eat in a room that’s too warm or has strong cooking odors, which can trigger nausea. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Eat in a seated or upright position. To keep mealtime interesting, vary the time, place, and surroundings.
Note: This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always suggest to the cancer patient you’re working with that he/she seek the advice of his/her physician or other qualified healthcare provider regarding nutrition and metabolic support during cancer care.