What should I do if I am losing weight without trying?
Your nutritional requirements can increase during times of
illness, after surgery and when you have cancer, this can cause
weight loss. Choosing high energy and protein foods can help
increase your nutritional intake. You will find ideas of ways to do
this in the 'Coping
with a small appetite' leaflet. If you continue to lose weight
speak with your healthcare professional for advice.
What should I do if I am gaining weight?
Having cancer and cancer treatment can affect our lives in many
ways. Sometimes people find they are less active than normal, or
symptoms like fatigue and lots of appointments can make it
difficult to cook meals. Certain medications such as steroids can
also increase your appetite and may lead to eating more in the
short term.
If you are gaining weight and eating more try to follow a healthy balanced
diet. It can also help to be mindful of your
portion sizes and choose healthy snacks. The
World Cancer Research Fund have some information you may find
helpful.
Does sugar feed cancer?
There is no strong evidence to suggest sugar directly increases
cancer risk or cancer progression. If the body is starved of foods
containing natural sugars such as dairy, fruits and vegetables,
starchy carbohydrate such as grains, and added sugars such as cakes
and biscuits, then the body breaks down its muscle protein and fat
stores to give the body a source of sugar. Therefore, a diet low in
natural or added sugar will not stop cancer cells getting energy.
Additionally, cutting out food groups can cause malnutrition, and
loss of weight.
It is useful to remember that foods high in sugar, and sugary
foods like cake, confectionary and fizzy drinks are often high in
calories and in quick-release energy, which can result in increased
weight gain and body fat, which are known risk factors for many
cancers. These foods are also low in other nutrients. Therefore as
part of a healthy diet, it is a good idea to limit sugar and sugary
foods. However, during cancer treatment it may be necessary to rely
on these foods if you are struggling with your eating. A dietitian
can support with this.
Is red meat bad for you?
Red meat is a good source of protein and minerals such as iron
and can form part of a healthy, balanced diet, but we don't
necessarily need it every day. The evidence suggests that regularly
eating more than 350-500g red meat (cooked weight) or 700-750g raw
red meat per week can increase the risk of bowel cancers. Other
sources of protein are recommended such as fish (1-2 portions per
week, 1 of which oily), lean poultry, eggs, beans and pulses or
vegan/vegetarian alternatives such as Quorn or tofu.
There is strong evidence that processed meats increase the risk
of bowel and stomach cancers. Processed meats are those that have
been smoked, cured, or had salt or chemical preservatives added to
it rather than having just been cooked or reformed (like some
sausages and burgers). Processed meats include bacon, salami,
chorizo, corned beef, pepperoni, pastrami, hot dogs and all types
of ham. (These are all generally higher in fat and salt). The
World Cancer Research Fund continuous update report recommends
avoiding processed meat.
Should I take dietary supplements to protect against cancer
recurrence?
There is currently no evidence that dietary supplements can
reduce the risk of recurrence or improve the likelihood of
survival. There is strong evidence that taking high doses of some
supplements may be harmful and may interact with some cancer
treatments. It is better to obtain essential nutrients from
foods rather than supplements. Some dietary supplements may be
indicated where there is an identified clinical need (such as when
someone is unable to manage a normal, balanced diet), and in such
cases, a doctor, dietitian or specialist nurse can offer
advice.
If you are taking nutritional supplements please discuss this
with your doctor or pharmacist. Especially if you are on cancer
treatment it is important your team knows you are taking
nutritional supplements, in case any interact with your medication.
Is juicing vegetables and fruit a good way to increase vitamin
and mineral intake?
It is much better to eat whole vegetables and fruits than to
juice them because they contain fibre as well as less concentrated
amounts of sugar. Some of the natural goodness may be lost in
juicing, as some vitamins deteriorate rapidly after cutting or
chopping. Eating whole fruits or vegetables are also more
filling.
Juicing, can however, add variety to the diet and can be a good
way to eat fruit and vegetables for people who have difficulty
swallowing or chewing.
Should soya be avoided if you have a hormone responsive
cancer?
Soya foods can provide a useful source of protein, particularly
for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Some people think
that they need to avoid soya based products following a diagnosis
with a hormone responsive cancer. Current guidance from the World
Cancer Research Fund is that soya can be included as part of a
healthy diet if liked, as research so far has not shown soya to
either increase or decrease risk of these cancers. Soya
supplements, however, should be avoided due to their concentrated
nature and limited research into their safety.
Is red wine protective against cancer?
There is strong evidence that alcohol increases the
risk of a number of cancers such as cancers of the mouth, pharynx,
larynx, oesophagus, liver, bowel and breast cancer. Strong evidence
refers to conclusions of "convincing" and "probable" associations.
Alcohol is also high in calories so can lead to weight gain.
For cancer prevention, the
World Cancer Research Fund recommendation on alcohol is
either to avoid it, or limit intake to 14 units for both men and
women, spread evenly over the week.
Do 'superfoods' help to boost immunity?
While certain foods have been reported to have cancer-protective
effects and other health benefits, there's no such thing as a
'superfood' despite thousands of websites claiming otherwise. It's
a marketing term used to sell products and has no scientific basis.
No one food in isolation can have a profound effect on our health,
or provide all the nutrients we need.
However some foods are clearly healthier than others. Choosing
foods such as blueberries, beetroot, and broccoli is a great idea,
and eating a range of different fruit and vegetables is helpful
too, but the specific types doesn't really matter.
