The Nation's Health

April is Cancer Awareness MonthWere you aware…At the European Society for Medical Oncology’s Symposium on Cancer and Nutrition in Zurich, Switzerland on March 20-21, 2009, it was reported that according to new results, cancer patients who are malnourished experience significantly greater levels of psychological distress than those who are more adequately nourished.“Malnutrition is a common problem in cancer. It is estimated that between 31% and 87% of cancer patients will experience weight loss and malnutrition during the course of their disease. Such patients are left with a poorer response to treatment, worse quality of life and reduced survival. Yet the problem often remains undiagnosed and untreated.”Diet plays an extremely important role in cancer treatment; eating the right types of foods before, during, and after treatment can help the patient feel better and stay healthy and stronger throughout treatment and recovery. A person must eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients to ensure proper nutrition. However certain side effects of cancer and cancer treatments can make it difficult to eat adequate amounts of food to maintain proper nutrition. Side effects can include changes to appetite, taste, smell, and the ability to eat enough or absorb the nutrients from food. Malnutrition can often result causing a person to feel tired, weak, and reduce the ability to withstand infection and the treatments themselves.
Eating too little protein and calories is one of the most common nutrition problems facing many cancer patients. Calories and protein provide energy as well as fight infection and promote healing. Two of the most common causes of malnutrition are anorexia and cachexia. With anorexia, the patient experiences a loss of appetite or disinterest in eating. Cachexia is a wasting syndrome that causes weakness and loss of weight, fat, and muscle. Often there is a combination of the two with cachexia becoming a resultant of the anorexia, however it can also occur in people who are eating enough but can’t absorb the nutrients.
With anorexia and cachexia threatening the effectiveness of the treatment and ability to heal due to nutrient insufficiency, nutrition therapy is a great resource for cancer patients.Eating guidelines and nutrition recommendations for patients are designed to help the patients cope with the effects of the cancer and its treatment. Often times treatments are more successful in patients who are well nourished and getting an adequate intake of calories and protein in their diet.
Proper nutrition while undergoing any type of treatment is key and cancer is not an exception. There is a better chance of survival in patients who are well nourished and have enough energy than those who are not. Cancer truly is a disease that can be fought with diet and won through the combination of diet and medical treatment.
The topic of cancer holds close to my heart, having taken a grandparent, two uncles, and an aunt from me. These incredible individuals inspire me to take care of my body right and share my knowledge with others, because when we work together we can save a life.