Consequences of treatment 

Nausea, loss of appetite, a change to your sense of taste and tiredness are just some of the side effects that you have to fight during the course of treatment. People often lose weight without intending to.

Ensuring the body is well supplied with energy, protein, vitamins and minerals is beneficial during this stressful phase.
 

Cancer and Malnutrition

Cancer patient usually have problem of malnutrition and weight loss

Depends on type and severity of cancer, around 31% to 87% of cancer patients will have weight loss situation

Reasons why cancer can affect the nutrition intake of patients:

• Reduced food intake: Cancer can change patient taste, reduce appetite and even anorexia

• Body Abnormality: Cancer may affect body metabolism

• Side effect of cancer treatment: Vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, mucositis, oral inflammation, dysphagia

•  Emotional problem: Depression, distress, worry

Malnutrition is serious!

Cancer patients should pay attention to malnutrition or weight loss. If the situation is not handled properly, it can have serious problem:

•       Affect the efficacy of treatment

•       Increase the side effect of treatment

•       Reduce immunity

•       Reduce patient mobility

•       Reduce quality of life

•       Affect survival rate

•       Reduce wound healing ability

There are special nutritional supplements for cancer patients in the market. They can provide high energy, high protein and EPA which can reduce side effect and improve malnutrition situation.

Changes that may affect your dietary intake during treatment

• Loss of appetite
• Oral dental problems
• Changes in taste and smell
• Depression
• Inflammation of the mucous membranes (mucositis), pain when swallowing and/or chewing
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Digestive problems, constipation or diarrhoea
• Exhaustion, tiredness and fatigue