Ovarian Cancer Treatments – Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition Therapy for Ovarian Cancer

For ovarian cancer patients, optimal nutrition is essential. When about one-third of all cancer deaths can be linked to malnutrition (source: National Cancer Institute), the importance of proper nutrition in cancer care cannot be overstated. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), we strive to deliver not only adequate, but optimal, nutrition therapy to ovarian cancer patients.

Ovarian cancer and its treatment can deplete your body's nutrients, suppress your appetite, and even affect your ability to digest foods. When fighting ovarian cancer and when recovering from ovarian cancer treatments like surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy, your body is in a more vulnerable condition and requires a higher nutrient intake.

Each ovarian cancer patient who comes to CTCA for treatment receives a nutrition assessment and a personalized plan for nutritional support to be followed throughout their ovarian cancer treatment. Customized to your unique nutritional needs, this plan aims to prevent malnutrition, reduce side effects, and enhance your overall well being.

The CTCA nutrition team, comprised of licensed and registered dietitians, strives to provide you with quality care through nutrition assessment, education, supplementation and support.

Nutrition Assessment

The first step in the development of your individualized ovarian cancer nutrition plan is an assessment of your nutritional needs. The assessment may include:

• Laboratory analysis of the blood:  This determines the status of your immune system (immunocompetence) and protein stores.
• Medical history and nutrition interview:  This offers the nutrition team insight into your appetite, food preferences, the status of your digestive system, and any existing or potential complications.
• Computerized diet profile:  A three-day nutrient intake analysis completed by you.
• Nutrition anthropometrics:  Body measurements are made to determine your percent of body fat and loss of lean tissue.

Following your admission to a CTCA facility for ovarian cancer treatment, additional tests may be performed:

• Indirect calorimetry:  A simple breathing test to measure your calorie requirements.
• Nitrogen balance:  Measurement of protein loss to determine if your body is using protein properly.

Diet

Throughout your ovarian cancer treatment at CTCA, your care team will encourage you to eat foods that provide optimal nutritional benefit. A registered dietitian will consult with you to help you develop your individualized meal plan.

Supplementation

At CTCA, we also use custom-developed, ultra-pure vitamin and mineral supplements which can help provide nutrients that your diet may not, and offer a boost where ovarian cancer may have depleted your body. 

The CTCA supplementation plan aims to help support your immune system and reduce toxic side effects of conventional ovarian cancer treatments. Your CTCA dietitian may recommend daily dosages of various nutrients, including the following:

• Beta carotene
• Selenium
• Vitamin C
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• Vitamin E
• Others as appropriate

Nutritional Support

If you are unable to eat or digest food at any time during your ovarian cancer treatment, your integrative care team at CTCA can provide nutrition in other ways, such as parenterally (through a vein) or enterally (through a feeding tube). Your CTCA dietitian, along with a physician, nurse and pharmacist, will work closely with you should you require nutritional support.

Nutrition Education

In addition to making suggestions for healthful eating during your ovarian cancer treatment, CTCA registered dietitians are also available for educational consultation. We offer popular programs and classes on nutrition and cancer, as well as regular cooking demonstrations. Books, articles and other educational materials on ovarian cancer and nutrition are also available.

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