Contents:
- Medical Video: Patient Story: Pregnant with Cancer - MedStar Health Cancer Network
- Why do cancer patients feel so tired? What foods can increase energy?
- I still have difficulty digesting food caused by treatment. Are there other food intake besides supplements?
- Can soybeans protect someone from breast cancer or is eating soy harmful to the body?
- Do patients need to take antioxidants or other supplements?
- Should you replace foods with low fat content?
Medical Video: Patient Story: Pregnant with Cancer - MedStar Health Cancer Network
Why do cancer patients feel so tired? What foods can increase energy?
Fatigue is one of the common symptoms of cancer patients and researchers still don't fully understand the cause. Effects can be felt because of changes in nutrients that affect fatigue in the body of breast cancer sufferers.
Consumption of healthy foods is very good for the health of the body and a sufficient calorie diet also supports health that can meet nutritional intake. Proteins from animals or plants provide more energy for carbohydrates.
Patients are also advised to drink plenty of water because dehydration causes fatigue. Make sure to drink at least 8 glasses a day. If you are overweight, drinking lots of water will be highly recommended. If there is an unplanned weight loss, drink a drink that contains enough calories such as milk or juice.
Exercise can help reduce fatigue and improve feelings. The doctor will usually tell when the patient must start physical activity and how much physical activity should be done.
I still have difficulty digesting food caused by treatment. Are there other food intake besides supplements?
Tolerance in food is an individual problem. Cancer sufferers will experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and flatulence. Lactose intolerance can usually occur in cancer patients so they have to stop consuming milk.
Foods containing high fiber such as whole wheat bread and cereals can also cause digestive problems for people with cancer. Low fiber and soft foods can help reduce digestive problems. Oncologists can help patients find out what types of foods can interfere with digestion and should be avoided. Maintaining food and activities can help patients determine what should be done or avoided.
Adding a variety of foods again after a while of not consuming them can also help patients know what foods the body can accept.
Can soybeans protect someone from breast cancer or is eating soy harmful to the body?
At present there is no concrete evidence that shows that soybeans are beneficial for breast cancer sufferers. Research shows that consuming up to three servings of soybeans a day does not increase the risk of cancer recurrence or death. If patients with breast cancer like soy foods such as soy milk or tofu and tempeh, adding soybeans in food will not cause problems. Research on soybean supplements or isoflavones is not sufficiently focused and there is no suggestion or prohibition to consume soybeans or soybean preparations.
Do patients need to take antioxidants or other supplements?
If the patient is still undergoing cancer treatment, consult all supplements with the doctor before consuming them. Recent research shows that some antioxidant supplements can interfere with the course of cancer treatment even though this study is not conclusive. Theoretically, antioxidant supplements are useful for protecting healthy cells from cancer but also protect cancer cells during treatment.
If the patient has completed cancer treatment, the patient must know that supplements cannot replace the basic functions of food for the body. The addition of one or two pills a day can be beneficial to the patient's body but cannot replace 100% of the body's vitamin and mineral needs.
Actually patients can benefit from other types of plant foods such as vegetables and fruits. The researchers have not identified the overall content of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables. Research shows that phytochemicals in food work together to provide cancer protection that can benefit the health of the body. Foods needed by the body are balanced foods that are rich in fiber, protein and essential fatty acids.
Should you replace foods with low fat content?
The optimal amount of food fat in individuals varies. During cancer treatment, patients must focus on eating healthy foods so the body can respond quickly to treatment. Some types of cancer and cancer treatments can cause digestive problems caused by fat, for example diarrhea. Many people have problems with the body because of the sufficient number of calories, but if fat digestion is not a problem, fat is an important source for calories.
Although foods that contain fat have been considered the main factors that cause cancer risk, the current research emphasizes the effects of cancer obtained from vegetables and fruits. Patients must avoid excessive amounts of fat, especially saturated fats such as fatty meat, high fat cheese, milk and ice cream. Some types of fat needed for patients with breast cancer are fats contained in olives, canola oil, nuts, and fish.
