Nutrition During Radiation Therapy

Nutritional needs of a patient change under certain circumstances. Cancer and its treatments often place special demands on the body. For example, some patients may experience a loss of appetite. A reduction in nutritional intake, if not properly attended can extend the course of the radiation therapy and retard healing.

Your nutritional needs are assessed when you start your course of radiation therapy. Patients who are potentially at risk of having their nutritional status altered will be monitored by one of our registered dietitians, a nutritionist who specializes in radiation oncology. Depending on the area of the body being treated, side effects can occur. A modified diet is prescribed when necessary. In general, your main goal in nutrition is to maintain your weight throughout radiation therapy by following a balanced diet high in protein and calories.

Our dietitians help our patients maintain good nutrition by providing the following assistance as needed:

• Advice on how to cope with, and minimize uncomfortable side effects such as dry mouth, difficulty with swallowing, upset stomach, or diarrhea.
• Recommendations on the use of supplemental nutritional products when eating is below par.
• Dietary counseling tailored to meet your individual needs, with follow up to check progress.
• Nutritional advice that will enhance your quality of life during and after radiation therapy.