Author: Molly Lindquist
Guest post by Mike Linn. Opinions are those of the author. Medically reviewed by Dr. Doug Blayney on August 30, 2024.
Diet and nutrition are important elements of a healthy life for anyone, but they are especially critical for patients with cancer.
While food and the nutrients we intake are not necessarily curative or preventative to cancer - or better put, this blog is not where we are going to present a case for or against that notion - a healthy diet and making sure that your body is functioning at its best during treatment can make a significant difference in your outcomes.
Below are some different ways to fuel your body properly and what they might affect.
How a Healthy Diet Can Help Cancer Patients
Cancer can cause a lot of unwanted changes to our body. From the disease itself to the stress of a diagnosis, and especially the side effects of treatment, a lot is going on that can negatively impact our physicality.
Because every diagnosis and body is unique, food may play different roles in shaping your goals during cancer treatment.
A specific diet and nutrition plan can help cancer patients:
- Gain, lose, or maintain weight
- Tolerate treatment
- Reduce inflammation
- Help with digestion
- Reduce risk factors for cancer
The Right Diet For Cancer Patients
There is no one-size-fits-all diet for anyone. All bodies are different and respond differently to what we put in them. Similarly, our goals for eating will vary - some people want to grow bigger, while others are trying to lose weight. Some diets are solely designed for pragmatic nutrition, while many people (myself included) are aiming for a blend of eating for pleasure while not jeopardizing overall health.
Similarly, the wide spectrum of cancer treatments affects appetite and nutrition intake in different ways. Harsher side effects from chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation can cause anorexia (avoiding food) or cachexia (the body wasting away from not eating), and certain tumors affect the way your body uses nutrients.
More posts from Mike Linn here:
- Should You Work Out During Cancer Treatment?
- Taking Care of Your Body After a Cancer Diagnosis
- Workouts For Cancer Patients During Treatment
How Side Effects From Treatment Affect Eating
It is also common for patients to experience side effects that can inhibit the physical act of eating or create new dietary restrictions, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Mouth sores
- Taste change
- New allergies
It is important to discuss your diet with your oncologist and care team so that you can properly calibrate what you eat before, during, and after treatment.
Nutrition Support for Cancer Patients
If you are having issues eating or processing food during cancer treatment, you should discuss this with your team immediately. I have had my ability to eat impacted multiple times during immunotherapy, and while it was only for short periods, it was detrimental to my physical and mental health.
My team supplied me with supplements and liquid meal replacements, and I was lucky not to have these periods extend further. However, if your ability to eat is impaired, your oncologist and medical team can provide:
- Meal replacements
- Dietary supplements
- Appetite stimulants
- Treatment for mouth sores
- Steps to help with taste changes
- Enteral nutrition (tube feeding)
- Parenteral nutrition (IV feeding)
The most important thing is maintaining as much vitality as possible throughout cancer diagnosis and treatment, so please do not be shy about addressing any needs you might have with your oncologist.
Your Diet Can be Self-Care During Cancer
Patients who have severely restricted diet or eating throughout treatment have my respect and sympathy. I am fortunate enough to be able to eat most things during treatment - I have cut out alcohol, processed sugar (as much as possible), and certain additives.
With that in mind, I’ve also found that calibrating my diet has helped my mental health. Though I don’t believe the foods I’m eating are necessarily curing me, I believe that I’m bolstering my chances by fueling my body properly.
Finally, food can be controllable and enjoyable - two adjectives that aren’t as common in life during cancer treatment. There are plenty of delicious healthy foods that make me feel as though I’m doing the right thing for my body, and I encourage you to find the right mix for yourself if possible.
Bon appetit!
Related Articles:
- Taking Care of Your Body After a Cancer Diagnosis
- A quick start guide to enhancing phytonutrients in your diet
Related Podcasts:
Episode 21: The power of lifestyle changes and the combination of distraction
Our team “gets it”
The Manta Cares team is composed of cancer survivors, caregivers and oncologists - so we truly understand the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis because we’ve been there. We are here to walk with you as you go through your own cancer experience. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We are even developing disease-specific step-by-step maps to show you all the paths you might face during your cancer experience and connect you with relevant support and resources. Sign up for access to our Manta Maps here.
Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and check out our free resources like our Chemotherapy Checklist for Caregivers, Financial Checklist for Cancer Treatment and more. We also put out a bi-weekly podcast called the Patient from Hell to educate, empower and hopefully inspire you as you go through this crappy experience. You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Dealing with cancer as a patient or caregiver can feel really lonely. Just know that you are not alone in this experience.
About the author: Mike Linn is a writer, athlete, business owner, and now a cancer patient advocate. He was first diagnosed with stage 3c metastatic melanoma at the age of 30 and had a stage 4 recurrence in 2023 at 35. In a better effort to understand the mental health side of being a cancer patient, he began posting content to social media and support groups and has yet to stop talking about his cancer experience both personally and professionally. Mike also loves candy and is determined to dispel the notion that sugar specifically feeds cancer - or he is at least hopeful that research will prove this.
Disclaimer: All content and information provided in connection with Manta Cares is solely intended for informational and educational purposes only. This content and information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.