Q: I have just been diagnosed with cancer. Should I request to see a dietitian to address my nutritional needs or will this be automatically taken care of by my doctor?

A: Fortunately, most doctors now certainly understand the important role of nutritional support and the value of preventing weight loss throughout cancer treatments. If, for some unknown reason your referral to a dietitian is over-looked, certainly speak up because it is your life and health that will be impaired.

40% - 80% of cancer patients develop some clinically detectable malnutrition that can affect quality of life and survival. I've cited several reports to help you understand how right you are regarding your interest in nutrition

• Gallagher-Alred CR, 1996
• McMahon KM, 1998
• Shils ME, 1994
• Tchekmedyian NS, 1998
• Sheils JF, 1998

Nutrition assessment and management before initiation of therapy can have a significant impact on the course of treatment.

A study at Wake Forest University, 1998 revealed 55% of cancer patients interviewed experienced weight loss over the last six months. Females lost approximately 26 pounds and males lost 17 pounds. 55% of the patients reported two or more nutrition impact symptoms.

The study at Wake Forest University demonstrated cancer patients should be seen by a dietitian to improve nutritional status and therapy tolerance, increase sense of patient well-being, and increase sense of patient satisfaction.

You are definitely on the right track, being pro-active instead of reactive when your health is on the line. Keep reading, keep asking questions and keep speaking up.

 

Q: I have had surgery and radiation to my throat for cancer treatment. My mouth is continuously dry and feels like I have cotton in my mouth. Is there anything I can do so my mouth doesn't feel so dry all the time?

A: You are suffering from diminished or no production of saliva. Your salivary glands at the base of your mouth may have needed to be removed by your surgeon. Or, radiation may have destroyed your ability to produce saliva.

There are many things you can do to produce saliva:

• sip on water or use a squirt bottle of water routinely throughout the day
• suck on ice chips, Popsicle's, frozen grapes
• enjoy ices, slushes, or smoothies as cool soothing beverages (try our recipes for Fruit Ice and Fruit Smoothie)
• try 100% papaya juice as needed, some people find it helpful because it tends to lubricate your mouth
• consume fruits and vegetables which contain a lot of water, i.e. watermelon, peaches, berries, nectarines, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans, cucumbers
• try canned fruits because they too are very moist, i.e. peaches, pears -- avoid citrus fruits they may be bothersome
• use gravies, sauces, broth, soup, margarine, marinades, BBQ sauce, sour cream to moisten foods
• Biotene makes alcohol free mouthwash (alcohol can make mouth dryness worse). Biotene chewing gum is available which helps stimulate the production of saliva (available through your pharmacy).
• oral moisturizers available through your pharmacy -- Mouth Kote, Oral Balance or Oral Moist
• commercial artificial saliva substitute can be used with the oral moisturizers. Ask your pharmacy about Salivart Saliva Substitute, Xerolube or Glandosane.
• saliva helps prevent tooth decay, so you could have an increased incidence of dental problems. See your dentist regularly. Floss, brush your teeth, gums, and tongue frequently. Use a soft-bristle tooth brush. You can make your own mouth wash with 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 quart water.

 

Q: I have recently been diagnosed with cancer and I want to supplement my diet with vitamins and minerals. What should I be taking?

A: The very best source of vitamins and minerals is foods, especially fruits and vegetables.

Many healthful compounds are found in fruits and vegetables that can not be represented in the dried powder contained in a pill. Consumers tend to think if a certain amount of a nutrient is good for you then twice as much will be twice as good. This is absolutely not true.

The use of nutritional supplements is a very controversial topic in the realm of cancer. It is not beneficial to take vitamin supplements that contain high levels of folic acid when using chemotherapy agents such as methotrexate which acts by interfering with folic acid metabolism.

There are pros and cons regarding taking antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E while receiving chemotherapy or radiation. Until this topic is totally resolved it would be prudent to take a vitamin/mineral supplement during treatment that does not exceed 100% of the RDA's.

Remember to consider any vitamin/mineral supplement as a supplement to your nutritionally balanced diet. Discuss your questions regarding supplements with your cancer clinic dietitian. Your dietitian can present all possibilities of supplements, soy, flaxseed, antioxidants, fish oils, teas, selenium to you.

You should take into account your type of cancer, treatment regimen, newly diagnosed/reoccurrence etc. The benefit vs. harm of these dietary factors can be reviewed to help you decide what's best for you during treatment and following treatment.

According to an article published by Eldridge, B., et all, Nutrition Therapy and the Cancer Patient, 2001--

"all individuals diagnosed with cancer should be assessed and screened for nutrition risk at the time of diagnosis and then re-evaluated throughout the course of your treatment and recovery by a qualified dietetics professional."

This is the time you should present all of your nutrition questions to your dietitian. Speak up and get all of your questions answered!

 

diabetes  •  PCOS  •  weight control  •  healthy heart issues
eating disorders   •  soy  •  osteoporosis  •  sports nutrition  
fish oil capsules  •  probiotics  •  splenda •  celiac disease
children & weight • cancer • lactose intolerance
• night eating syndrome • vitamin D

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is to help make informed decisions about your health. It is not a substitute for the advice or treatment given by your doctor. Please consult a registered dietitian or your doctor if you have any questions about the information given on this page.