From Diagnosis to Recovery: Nourishing Your Body During and After Breast Cancer
Breast cancer affects 1 in 7 women in Australia, and its rising prevalence among women under 40. While the reasons for the increasing prevalence among younger age groups are currently unknown, research highlights the significance of lifestyle factors in mitigating the lifelong risk of breast cancer. Nutrition, along with regular physical activity and sufficient sleep, seems to play a role in reducing lifelong susceptibility to breast cancer.
But what about the role of nutrition throughout the cancer journey? Can nutrition support treatment tolerance and aid in recovery as well as reducing cancer risk? Let’s take a closer look.
Before we jump in, it's important to remember that your body's nutritional needs will change and evolve with the various stages of breast cancer treatment and recovery. Fueling your body with the nourishing foods can help support your strength, well being, and overall recovery. Let's explore how nutrition can support your breast cancer journey, and how you can optimise your diet from diagnosis through to recovery.
The Importance of Nutrition in Breast Cancer Treatment
Treatment for breast cancer is a challenging process, not unlike running a marathon. Cancer treatment can take a significant toll on your body, and it takes a lot of strength, both physical and emotional, to move through the various treatments that come with a cancer diagnosis. A well-balanced diet provides the energy and nutrients your body needs to fight, helps to mitigate side effects of treatment, and accelerates the body's healing processes. Adequate nutrition during treatment reduces the risk of malnutrition, a process of muscle wasting that significantly influences treatment outcomes and survival. Nutrition also plays an important role in mental health and quality of life during the cancer journey. Maximising your nutrition can support your body's resilience, helping you to maintain your strength throughout treatment and beyond.
Understanding Your Nutritional Needs
Every body is unique, just like your individual journey with breast cancer. Consequently, the nutritional requirements of your body during cancer treatment will also differ. Your dietary needs are influenced by several factors. These may include the type of treatment you're receiving, its associated side effects, your physical activity level, your prior nutrition status and health before starting treatment. Understanding these individual nutritional needs assists you in making more informed dietary choices that could improve your treatment response, manage side effects, and boost your overall well being. Remember, it's not about a 'one-size-fits-all' approach, but about embracing a personalised nutrition plan that suits you best. Together with your dietitian, you can work on understanding these nutritional needs and tailoring a plan that best supports your body during this challenging period.
Nourishing Your Body During Treatment
Throughout your treatment, you may face a few hurdles such as shifts in your appetite, nausea and vomiting, alterations in your sense of taste, mouth ulcers, digestion issues and body changes. Despite these potential challenges, maintaining a consistent intake of nourishing foods rich in essential nutrients remains crucial for supporting your overall well-being and helping you to tolerate the demands of cancer treatment.
An essential part of this is prioritising protein intake. Protein-rich foods are essential for repairing body tissue, maintaining muscle mass, and supporting the immune system. You might want to explore various sources of protein, including meats, dairy, eggs, tofu, legumes, and nuts.
Equally, carbohydrates are your body's main energy source. Incorporating whole grains into your meals can provide you with the necessary energy and assist in managing fatigue often associated with treatment.
Balance your meals with a good source of fats too like olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds, and oily fish like salmon and tuna. These foods are rich in vitamin E and polyunsaturated fats which help to reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.
It’s also essential to keep yourself hydrated. Water aids in digestion, helps maintain your body's temperature and keeps your cells functioning optimally. Try to have at least eight glasses of fluid per day, including water, tea, or soups.
Eating well and eating enough might seem challenging at times, especially when you are experiencing side effects, so seek assistance when you need it. Reach out to a dietitian, preferably one specialised in oncology nutrition, to help tailor a dietary plan to meet your needs and manage any eating difficulties you might encounter during this phase.
Nutrition Support After Treatment
Navigating the post-treatment phase, your body is gradually recuperating and adjusting to a new norm. Your nutritional needs, too, may shift, reflecting the changing demands of your healing body. During this time, it's still critical to hold on to the practice of fuelling your body with a balanced, nutrient-dense diet.
Prioritise protein rich foods, which continue to aid in tissue repair and support your immune system. Whole grains provide you with a steady energy supply, essential as you start to regain strength and return to your daily activities. Vibrant fruits and vegetables remain a key source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, nurturing your cells as they continue to restore and rebuild.
In fact, a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found that a high quality diet (rich in nutritious foods like fruit, vegetables and soy) was associated with a 51% reduction in breast cancer risk. Robust peer-reviewed scientific literature like this helps us to understand the importance of nutrition in the breast cancer space and validates the role of the dietitian in supporting people through the cancer journey.
Remember, there's no need to do this alone – lean on the support of a dietitian to assist you in navigating any changes and challenges that might arise during this recovery phase. An oncology nutrition expert can continue to provide personalised guidance tailored to your unique needs and circumstances. The aim is to explore delicious and nourishing food choices that not only meet your dietary needs but also bring joy to the eating experience. Nutrition is much more than what to eat, but also how and why we eat, and it’s important to speak to someone who understands the psycho-social impact of cancer on diet quality and self-care.
Navigating Dietary Changes and Challenges
Taking on new dietary changes during and after cancer treatment might feel like a tough mountain to climb. It's absolutely okay to put up your hand and ask for a bit of guidance. A dietitian who specialises in oncology nutrition is your ally here. They're equipped to offer personalised dietary counselling and practical strategies to help you manage any eating challenges you might encounter. Whether it's changes in taste, a fluctuating appetite, dealing with new or old digestive issues, there's so much we can do to help.
Misinformation Awareness
There is a high prevalence of misinformation and outdated information online. Always approach health information with caution and look for guidance from reputable sources and healthcare professionals. Misleading advice from 'Dr. Google' can perpetuate myths, induce unnecessary concerns, and endorse unproven dietary trends. Fortunately, in the breast cancer space, we benefit from a continually evolving body of scientific evidence to guide best practice in nutrition. To make well-informed choices regarding nutrition during cancer, seeking evidence-based information ensures accuracy and can empower you to make decisions that genuinely support your well being.
Boosting Long Term Health with Nutrition
Even beyond your recovery, nutrition continues to provide protective benefits for your health long term. Enjoying a nutrient-dense diet not only has the potential to lower the chances of your cancer returning, but it can also help you ward off other health concerns and significantly enrich your overall quality of life. Beyond the nutritional aspect, fostering a healthy relationship with food, cultivating a positive body image, and prioritising self-care (including sufficient sleep and enjoyable physical activity) all play pivotal roles in promoting better health and well being for you going forward.
Feeling ready to give your treatment journey a boost with nutrition advice that's all about you?
Start your journey to feeling better and stronger by jumping on a FREE 15-minute discovery call with me, Alex - your dedicated Oncology Dietitian. Let’s chat about how nutrition can truly make a difference in your cancer journey. I’m here, ready when you are. Let’s do this!
BOOK A FREE DISCOVERY CALL HERE
Or, are you feeling more like a go-it-alone approach? I get it, I like to be independent too! That’s why I created downloadable resources so more people can access support from me. My Chemo Smoothies Recipe e-Book might be more aligned with your needs right now. Check it out below, and remember I’m here for 1:1 support when you’re ready.
Nourish your body well through chemotherapy with 10 delicious and soothing smoothie recipes. There’s a recipe for everything, from high protein smoothies to power you through treatment, to smoothies to help with tummy troubles, mouth ulcers and nausea!
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