Dietary nutrients required for good health include protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The following are some tips for maintaining a healthy diet before, during, and after treatment:

• Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
• Eat more whole grain cereals and breads instead of over-processed grains and sugars.
• Cut out fat, sugar, alcohol, and salt.
• Limit consumption of red meats, especially those with high fat.
• Choose foods that help maintain a healthy weight. During cancer treatment, some foods may be difficult to digest. As a result, a woman may need to change her diet to include high-calorie and high-protein foods, such as milk and cheese.
• When preparing for surgery, include post-operative meal planning. Stock the kitchen with your favorite foods, and include foods that are easy to eat, such as soup.
• Some women may need to eat a high calorie diet in order to maintain a healthy weight. In these cases the woman should use whole milk instead of skim, and sugar, instead of substitutes.
• It may helpful to cook and freeze foods before beginning treatment.
• During chemotherapy or radiation therapy, healthy snacks can provide extra calories and protein, for example cheese, puddings, crackers, peanut butter, sherbert, and yogurt.

Patients may experience a variety of treatment-related side effects including: loss of appetite, taste changes, difficulty swallowing, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores, changes in weight, and fatigue. If problems with nausea and vomiting develop, anti-nausea medications can be taken and the patient should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Patients may or may not have any of these side effects. The patient's diet should be based on the side effects she experiences.

Cancer or its treatments may also alter the way a woman's body uses food. This situation is usually temporary and will return to normal when treatment stops. Patients may develop an intolerance to lactose (a sugar in milk and many dairy products) or lose weight. Diarrhea during radiation therapy is common and may require a patient to decrease the intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other high fiber foods. A doctor or dietitian can help patients adjust their diet based on specific nutritional needs.

After treatment is finished, patients should maintain a healthy weight and increase activity. Obesity increases the risk for certain cancers, and also heart disease and diabetes. Patients should check with their primary care physician before starting any exercise program.

Suggestions for Healthy Eating and Activity in Women with Cancer

• Eat five or more servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables per day.
• Choose whole grain cereals and breads over processed grains.
• Limit the consumption of red meats.
• Maintain a low fat diet.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise three or more times a week.
• Tell your health care team about any use of supplements.

This information was provided by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (www.thegcf.org)

Author: Vivian von Gruenigen, MD
University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve
Reviewed By: Robert A. Burger, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of California, Irvine