Importance of Nutrition in Cancer Care

Do YOU control food?

Or does FOOD control you?

The importance of nutrition cannot be underscored in our lives. While in normal circumstances we don’t pay too much attention to what we eat; nutrition becomes an all important aspect of care when there is disease. The role of nutrition in cancer is of paramount importance to the patients well being and quality of life.

Today, it is known that cancer is caused by variety of identified and unidentified factors. Amongst several others, dietary factors are estimated to account for approximately 20% of cancers in developing countries (WHO, 2003). This makes “Nutrition” an important component of “preventive medicine” and in the “care and management of individuals diagnosed with cancer”.

Living with cancer and undergoing cancer treatment can have a profound impact on one’s nutritional status. Some patients experience weight loss prior to diagnosis or at some point in their disease process, while others experience some side effects of cancer and cancer treatments. Ability to eat enough food or absorb the nutrients from food is affected, which leads to malnutrition and impaired functioning of the immune system.

Nutrition related side effects like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, taste changes, sore mouth etc over a prolonged period can also deplete the nutritional reserves and result in significant loss of weight which in turn increases the risk of infections and lowers the response to cancer treatment.

It is therefore important to realize that eating healthily and maintaining a good nutritional status will help you retain energy levels and boost the body's response against fighting the cancer.

The main objectives of nutritional therapy would include:

• Maintaining your weight and your body’s store of nutrients
• Improving strength and increase energy
• Rebuilding body tissue and preserve lean body mass.
• Minimizing nutrition-related side effects and complications.
• Improving your tolerance to treatment.
• Supporting body’s immune system and recovery.
• Most importantly maximizing quality of life.
• It’s important to note that nutrition management alone does not take the place of medical management, but does complement it and ensure nutritional well being and optimum health.
• Remember “Staying nutritionally fortified is one positive way to take control of your life and your well being”- Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

References:

Diet, nutrition and prevention of chronic Diseases. Report of joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation.

WHO Technical Report Series 916, Geneva 2003:95-103.