What you eat is very important when you have cancer. Your body needs enough calories and nutrients to stay strong. The tumor or treatment sometimes makes it difficult to eat enough.

What is cancer?

Cancer is not one disease. There are more than a hundred different types of cancer.
In cancer there is an uncontrolled division of body cells. Countless cells are broken down and new ones are created every day. Sometimes this does not go well and errors can occur in the DNA that affect cell division. By accident, but also due to harmful influences. The body can usually repair this damage or ensure that the damaged cell is cleaned up. However, if the protective system fails, a cell can divide uncontrollably. A growth or tumor then develops.

Cancer and nutrition

Good nutrition is important for everyone, especially for children and adults with cancer. As a result of the disease, your body usually needs extra nutrients, especially energy and proteins. A healthy diet for cancer can help maintain your fitness and body weight. In addition, it can contribute to a better recovery.

What is malnutrition?

Weight loss is common with cancer. In addition to the fact that your body needs more energy with cancer, the treatment can also cause nutritional problems. Side effects such as nausea, loss of taste, fatigue and pain can make it difficult to get enough nutrients.
Underweight or unintentional weight loss in a short period of time may indicate malnutrition. Malnutrition can lead to, among other things, a deterioration of your condition, reduced resistance, slower wound healing and a longer recovery. It is therefore important to keep a close eye on your weight and to prevent weight loss in a timely manner. Malnutrition occurs in 20% to more than 70% of cancer patients, depending on the patient’s age, type of cancer and cancer stage.

Proteins and cancer

Protein is an important nutrient for cancer patients. After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, extra protein is needed to help tissues heal and fight infections. If your body doesn’t get enough protein, it can break down muscle for the fuel it needs. This means that recovery from the disease takes longer and resistance to infections may decrease. Good protein sources include fish, meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, nuts and legumes.

Medical nutrition for cancer

Due to reduced appetite, nausea or side effects of treatment, you may not be getting enough nutrients from your normal diet. A doctor or dietitian can then prescribe additional nutrition in the form of drinking or tube feeding. These are power supplies for medical use and should be used under medical supervision.