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Breast Cancer and The Nutrition Connection
Mageswary Lapchmanan, Dietitian, Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Stages Of Cancer Nutrition 

• Preventive Nutrition

• During Treatment

• Regenerating Nutrition

Preventive Nutrition
It is important to prevent primary cancer and metastasis once diagnosis has been made. Eat plenty of antioxidants daily. These includes vitamin C, E , carotenoids including lycopene and botanical factors found in beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Reduce fat to 20-25% of total calories, consume more complex carbohydrates, minimize sugar intake, protein 3-4 oz. serving once or twice per day. Practise eating a variety of foods.

Nutrition during Treatment
Nutrition is part of the whole treatment. Eating a healthy diet can make a big difference in the success of the treatment. Eat small, frequent meals to maintain weight. Take extra protein from eggs, fish and poultry and if required protein supplement powders are recommended. Limit dairy products if the problem is related to digestive functions. For example, diarrhea sets in especially in lactose intolerance. Live culture yogurt and hard cheese should be no problem. Avoid spicy or gas-producing foods such as incompletely cooked beans and excessive amounts of vegetables from the cabbage family to avoid stomach discomfort.

Regenerating Nutrition
As for preventive nutrition, but with special focus on nutrients needed for regenerating the immune system like beta carotene, the B vitamins, C, E, Selenium and Zinc. Reintroduce dairy products slowly. Include antioxidant formula in daily vitamin and mineral supplements. Encourage 5 –8 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Dietary Recommendations during Cancer Treatment 

1. Eat frequent or more servings of fruits and vegetables
2. Limit intake of high fat foods specially animal fats
3. Limit simple sugar intake
4. Be physically active and minimize stress
5. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
6. Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages
7. Drink fluids 10-12 cups/day
8. Take nutritional supplements if needed.
9. Make sure your diet is balanced even if you are on any other mode of treatment.

How to Overcome Nutrition Problems during Cancer Treatment

Eating well helps to hasten the recovery and good nutrition is needed to fight the cancer. Improved nutrition can also help to withstand the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Suggestions for chewing and swallowing difficulties

1. Eat foods prepared with moist heat like soups, stews, eggs, pastas, casseroles etc.
2. Add gravy, sauces, butter, yogurt, mayonnaise or salad dressings to make food easier to swallow.
3. Avoid highly seasoned, spicy, tart or acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes and chilies.
4. Cold foods may be soothing if there are sores in the mouth.
5. Keep your caloric intake high by taking commercial supplemental drinks like Ensure, Nutren, Enercal, Isocal, Sustacal, Complan etc.
6. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
7. If you have a problem swallowing, drink soup and use a cup with straw instead of spoon.

Suggestions for dealing with diarrhea

1. Avoid temporarily, high fiber foods with a lot of roughage like wholemeal foods, raw fruits and vegetables, cooked vegetables with seeds or skin, dried beans and nuts, popcorn, cucumber, lettuce etc.
2. Eat water-soluble fiber rich foods like applesauce or puree.
3. Eat small frequent snack type meals rather than large meals.
4. Do not drink with your meals, drink plenty of water in between meals.
5. Take warm food and drinks.
6. For severe diarrhea restrict the diet to clear, warm liquids such as broth, flat ginger ale or apple juice for a day. Do get your doctor’s opinion if the diarrhea persists for more than a day.

Suggestions for dealing with nausea and/or vomiting

1. Eat and drink slowly.
2. Eat small frequent meals.
3. Avoid greasy, fatty and fried foods.
4. Rest after meals.
5. Try a cracker or dry toast for early morning or pre-meal nausea.
6. If cooking odours make you feel nauseated, use microwave, frozen or chilled foods to reduce the odour.
7. When you feel comfortable, try to increase food intake.

Suggestions for loss of appetite

1. Eat small frequent meals.
2. If you are not hungry at one meal, make the other meals heavier. Similarly, if your appetite is low early in the morning, eat more later in the day.
3. Make food attractive with garnishes and eat in a nice and pleasant environment.
4. Keep snacks with you.
5. Try various types of food with different taste and flavours.
6. Try cold or room temperature foods.
7. Consume commercially prepared food supplements to increase energy.

Article Index

Foreword
Dietary Fat
Dietary Fiber
Food Pyramid
Phytonutrients, Probiotics and Fermented Foods
Stages of Cancer Nutrition – Preventive, During Treatment, Regenerating
Dietary recommendations in cancer treatment
How to overcome nutrition problems during breast cancer treatment?
-          Dealing with chewing or swallowing difficulties
-          Dealing with diarrhoea
-          Dealing with nausea and vomiting
-          Dealing with loss of appetite 

Know your breast cancer facts!

Most lumps are
harmless, or benign. Benign lumps are abnormal, but not life-threatening. There are many different types of breast cancer.