Nutrition Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer
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Supportive Therapies for Pancreatic Cancer Patients: Nutrition Therapy
Optimal nutrition is vitally important for pancreatic cancer patients. The pancreas contains glands that help digest food and modulate the body’s blood sugar levels. Cancer of the pancreas affects the body’s ability to digest and absorb vital nutrients from fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Thus, pancreatic cancer can cause nausea, tumor-induced weight loss (cachexia), fatigue, decreased appetite, fullness, pain, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Over time, these symptoms may contribute to severe malnutrition.
CTCA provides a Nutrition Therapy Program to keep you strong and nutritionally balanced so your pancreatic cancer treatment is not interrupted. Maintaining optimal nutrition can also help prevent malnutrition, support immune function, rebuild body tissue, decrease your risk of infection, and enhance your overall well being.
During your first visit to CTCA, you will meet with a dietitian from the nutrition and metabolic support team. You will first receive a comprehensive nutrition assessment, which your care team uses to monitor and evaluate your nutrition status and identify if you are at risk for malnutrition.
Your dietitian will then work with you to develop an individualized nutrition plan. The plan is designed to prevent malnutrition, keep you nourished, and improve your quality of life. The plan will also help you tolerate your conventional pancreatic cancer treatments and avoid treatment interruptions.
Throughout your pancreatic cancer treatment, your dietitian will proactively and continually monitor your nutrition status, making modifications to your nutrition plan as needed. If you are experiencing pain when you eat, your dietitian may provide pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy to assist with proper digestion. If you are unable to eat or digest food, your dietitian may offer supplemental or individualized TPN nutritional support.
Pancreatic cancer patients are also at risk for diabetes and glucose intolerance. To decrease complications of diabetes, your dietitian will assist you in managing blood sugar levels throughout your care.
Furthermore, you will also receive nutrition education to better understand how to manage symptoms and maintain a balanced diet. Programs and classes on nutrition and cancer, in conjunction with cooking demonstrations, are presented regularly at CTCA. Books, articles and other publications on cancer and nutrition are also available.
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