Bladder Cancer Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition Therapy for Bladder Cancer 

Good nutrition is an important part of bladder cancer treatment. The main objective of the Cancer Treament Centers of America (CTCA) nutrition therapy team is to support you, so you can better tolerate treatment and fight the disease. Your dietitian will monitor your nutrition status from the beginning to the end of your treatment, making modifications as needed. We will proactively support your nutritional needs to prevent potential problems or treatment interruptions before they arise.

Every bladder cancer patient is scheduled to meet with a member of our cancer nutrition therapy team during their first visit to CTCA. At this time, you will be given a full assessment to identify daily goals for calories and protein. Your dietitian will look at your health history, disease state and treatment plan to recommend nourishing foods during your cancer care.

Eating a well-balanced diet can help you manage side effects of bladder cancer treatment and limit treatment interruptions. For example, bladder cancer patients who are treated with radiation therapy or chemotherapy may experience fatigue and diarrhea, both of which can be managed with diet modifications. Your nutrition therapy expert may make recommendations to avoid spicy, greasy and gas-producing foods. To combat fatigue, your dietitian may recommend high-protein snacks and small, frequent meals. Other recommendations will be customized according to the type of cancer treatment you receive.

The cancer nutrition therapy team at CTCA actively partners with our naturopathic clinicians to further manage side effects of bladder cancer treatment. The teams collaborate to provide you with supplements and other therapies to support optimal digestion and nutrition.

We also provide education about healthy eating habits to your caregivers and family members, so you can continue a healthy lifestyle after you return home.

Next Topic: Pain Management for Bladder Cancer