Melanoma Cancer Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition Therapy for Melanoma Cancer

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we believe that optimal nutrition helps you maintain your strength so you can aggressively fight melanoma cancer with an individualized treatment plan.

Cancer can deplete your body's nutrients and cause weight loss. In addition, cancer and cancer treatment can negatively affect on your appetite and your ability to properly digest foods. While you are undergoing treatment for melanoma, it is important to eat foods that provide optimal nutritional benefit. Following a healthy diet can help you to manage side effects associated with your treatment, maintain your quality of life and keep you strong to fight your cancer.

During your first visit to CTCA, you’ll meet with your dietitian and receive a comprehensive nutrition assessment. This will help your dietician to develop an individualized cancer nutrition plan designed to help you obtain optimal nutrition throughout your treatment for melanoma. Your dietitian can also provide you with education, supplementation and support throughout your treatment.

Combating Side Effects with Nutrition Therapy

Each of the therapies you may receive during your treatment for melanoma cancer can cause different side effects. The nutrition team at CTCA will work with you to decrease these complications during your treatment for melanoma. Your dietitian will recommend diet modifications based on your treatment regime, micronutrient deficiencies and nutrition impact symptoms.

The following are ways melanoma cancer nutrition therapy can help combat side effects of your treatments:

• If you experience nausea, your dietitian may recommend that you eat more cold foods because they don’t have a strong odor, as well as lower-fat items since fats take longer to digest.
• If you experience constipation, your dietitian may encourage you to eat fiber-rich foods and increase your fluid intake.
• To combat fatigue, your dietitian may recommend high-protein snacks and small, frequent meals rather than large meals.

Care Under One Roof

Your dietitian communicates regularly with your oncologists and the other members of your melanoma cancer team. Our Patient Empowered Care^® clinic brings your medical oncologist, clinic nurse, registered dietitian, naturopathic clinician and nurse care manager to you. With this approach, you enjoy greater comfort, convenience and privacy, by meeting with your care team in one room.

Working together in close proximity allows for a fully integrated approach to treating melanoma. Your dietitian is able to share any specific cancer nutrition challenges with other members of your care team. Everyone works together to find solutions that meet your individual needs.

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