Malnutrition can cause the patient to be weak, tired, and unable to fight infections or get through cancer treatment. Malnutrition may be made worse if the cancer grows or spreads.
Nutrition
Stronger with Healthy Diet
Nutrition is a process in which food is taken in and used by the body for growth,
to keep the body healthy, and to replace tissue.
Stronger with Healthy Diet
Nutrition is a process in which food is taken in and used by the body for growth,
to keep the body healthy, and to replace tissue.
Why is it important?
Good nutrition is important for good health. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after cancer treatment can help the patient feel better and stay stronger.
A healthy diet includes eating and drinking enough of the foods and liquids that have the important nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fat, and water) the body needs.
When the body does not get or cannot absorb the nutrients needed for health, it causes a condition called malnutrition or malnourishment.
Healthy Eating Habits & Nutrition Therapy
Both eating habits and nutrition therapy help patients deal with effects of cancer and its treatment. Some cancer treatments work better when the patient is well nourished and gets enough calories and protein in the diet.
Cancer Treatments affecting Nutrition
When the head, neck, esophagus, stomach, or intestines are affected by the cancer treatment, it is very hard to take in enough nutrients to stay healthy. For many patients, the effects of cancer and cancer treatments make it hard to eat well.
Cancer treatments that affect nutrition include:
Malnutrition
Cancer and cancer treatments may affect taste, smell, appetite, and the ability to eat enough food or absorb the nutrients from food. which can then cause malnutrition (a condition caused by a lack of key nutrients).
Eating too little protein and calories is a very common problem for cancer patients. Having enough protein and calories is important for healing, fighting infection, and having enough energy.
Common causes
Cancer and cancer treatments may affect taste, smell, appetite, and the ability to eat enough food or absorb the nutrients from food, which can then cause malnutrition (a condition caused by a lack of key nutrients).
Anorexia (the loss of appetite or desire to eat) is a common symptom in people with cancer. Anorexia may occur early in the disease or later, if the cancer grows or spreads. Some patients already have anorexia when they are diagnosed with cancer.
Almost all patients who have advanced cancer will have anorexia. Anorexia is the most common cause of malnutrition in cancer patients.
Cachexia is a condition marked by a loss of appetite, weight loss, muscle loss, and general weakness. It is common in patients with tumors of the lung, pancreas, and upper gastrointestinal tract.
It is important to watch for and treat cachexia early in cancer treatment because it is hard to correct.
Cancer patients may have anorexia and cachexia at the same time. Weight loss can be caused by eating fewer calories, using more calories, or both.
It is important to treat weight loss caused by cancer and its treatment, as well as having cancer symptoms and side effects that affect eating and hence weight loss treated early. Both nutrition therapy and medicine can help the patient stay at a healthy weight.
Medication Benefits & Prevention
Medicine may be used for the following: