Cancer

Improve recovery from treatments, help prevent recurrence, and improve drug effectiveness

Recommended For

Cancer, Any, Cancer, Breast, Cancer, Chemo, Cancer, Colorectal, Cancer, Esophageal, Cancer, Leukemia, Cancer, Lung, Cancer, Lymphoma, Cancer, Prostate, Cancer, Skin, Cancer, Stomach, Cancer, Uterine, Leukemia, Lymphoma.

Diet Goals

Maintain weight, strength, immune system

  • Maintain healthy weight; nutrient rich foods
  • Food safety for weakened immune system
  • Dietary supplements unproven; get nutrients from food
You basically have 3 nutrition goals with cancer treatment: Energy to recover, nutrients to heal, and calories to prevent unintended weight loss.

Food Recommendations

Foods to Eat

Fruits, Vegetables: Berries, avocado, leafy greens, carrots
Whole grains: Whole wheat bread & pasta, oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, brown rice
Beans, Legumes: Lentils, soy, black beans, peas, chickpeas
Lean proteins: Poultry, white fish, low fat yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, tofu, beans
High fiber foods: Lentils, chia seeds, whole grains, popcorn
Low fat dairy: Skim, 1% milk, yogurt, cheeses, buttermilk

Foods to Avoid

Red meat: Beef, lamb, pork, goat, veal, mutton
High sodium: Deli meat, soup, cheese, pizza, salty nuts & snacks
High fat: Red meat, fried foods, full fat dairy, oils
Saturated fats: Beef, lamb, pork, full fat dairy, butter, pastry, pie, biscuits
Foodborne illness: Unpasteurized juices, dairy products; raw or under cooked meat
High sugar: Fruit yogurt, granola, energy bars; raisins, ketchup, pasta sauce

Diet Rules

Additional Information

Research

Studies show 30-40% of cancers are estimated to be preventable by a healthy diet, adequate physical activity, maintaining normal body weight.
Nutrition can help cancer patients maintain strength, healthy body tissue & normal weight; can enhance treatments, decrease side effects.
Research suggests that exercise is safe during cancer treatment; even minimal activity can improve fatigue, anxiety; helps heart, muscles, strength.

Caveats

Nutrition can affect the survival of patients during and after treatments; nutritional deficiencies linked to poor prognosis.
Chemo can weaken immune system; avoid unpasteurized honey, milk, juice; raw or undercooked meat.
After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, extra protein can be useful to heal tissues, fight infection.
Do NOT take dietary supplements to prevent or treat cancer; can increase risk, interfere with cancer treatment.

References

Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: Answers to Common Questions. (2022). American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/be-healthy-after-treatment/nutrition-and-physical-activity-during-and-after-cancer-treatment.html
Pescovegetarian Diet (or Pescatarian): May Boost Omega-3 Fats. (2021). American Institute for Cancer Research. https://www.aicr.org/cancer-prevention/food-facts/pescovegetarian-diet-or-pescatarian/
Public Health and Chronic Disease. (2021). American Public Health Association. https://www.apha.org/~/media/files/pdf/factsheets/chronicdiseasefact_final.ashx
Anders, C., Johnson, R., Litton, J., Phillips, M., & Bleyer, A. (2009). Breast Cancer Before Age 40 Years. NIH, National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2894028/
Diet High in Saturated Fat Linked to Higher Risk of HER2-Negative, Hormone-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer . (2022). Breastcancer.org. https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/high-fat-diet-linked-to-breast-cancer
Eat this, not that by cancer type: How your cancer may determine your diet. (2018). Cancer Treatment Centers of America. https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2018/05/eat-this-not-that-by-cancer-type-how-your-cancer-may-determine-your-diet
Carbs and Cancer: Do you understand the relationship between “sugar” and cancer? (2020). CancerConnect. https://news.cancerconnect.com/treatment-care/carbs-and-cancer-ga5pQUyz-EuC2Wrwye4heQ
Eat this, not that by cancer type: How your cancer may determine your diet. (2018). City of Hope. https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2018/05/eat-this-not-that-by-cancer-type-how-your-cancer-may-determine-your-diet
Collins MS, K., RDN. (2017). How to eat for heart-health and cancer prevention. American Institute for Cancer Research. https://www.aicr.org/resources/blog/healthtalk-how-to-eat-for-heart-health-and-cancer-prevention/
Cordeiro, B. (2014). Breastfeeding lowers your breast cancer risk. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/breastfeeding-breast-cancer-prevention.h19-1589046.html
Curry, S., Byers, T., & Hewitt, M. (2003). Lifestyle Behaviors Contributing to the Burden of Cancer. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK223925/
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Your Gateway to Food Safety Information. (2023). FoodSafety.gov. https://www.foodsafety.gov/
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, H. T. H. C. S. (2021). Antioxidants. The Nutrition Source. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/antioxidants/
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Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases. (2022). U.S. Food. https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/food-safety-older-adults-and-people-cancer-diabetes-hivaids-organ-transplants-and-autoimmune
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