While it is important to eat well all of the time, your diet requires particular attention when
you are undergoing cancer treatment. Cancer and cancer treatment can put a lot of strain on the
body and can cause changes in appetite and taste, difficulty in swallowing and keeping food down,
and weight gain or weight loss.
St. Vincent's Comprehensive Cancer Center has a registered dietitian who can work with patients to
address their individual nutrition needs. The dietitian can help you choose foods to manage the
nutrition related side effects of your treatment or your disease. They will teach you how to choose
foods to fuel the body before, during and after treatment, how to follow a cancer prevention diet,
and how to choose foods and portions to maintain an ideal or healthy weight.
There are three main nutritional goals for someone living with cancer:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Select and eat healthy foods that supply the body with fuel and nutrients for repair and healing
- Prevent recurrence of the cancer and the development of a second malignancy.
While you are undergoing treatment, it is important for you to share any concerns or questions you may have regarding nutrition with your treatment team.
