Supportive Therapies for Uterine Cancer Patients: Nutrition Therapy

Uterine Cancer Treatment: Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition therapy is one of the most important components of uterine cancer treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). When about one-third of all cancer deaths are related to malnutrition (source: National Cancer Institute), the importance of receiving optimal nutrition cannot be overstated. From depleting your body's nutrients and causing weight loss, to affecting your appetite or ability to digest foods, uterine cancer and its related treatments may leave you in a weakened condition.

That's why at CTCA, each patient who comes to us for uterine cancer treatment receives a nutrition assessment along with a comprehensive and customized nutritional program, designed to prevent malnutrition, reduce side effects and enhance his or her overall well-being.

Our mission

The CTCA nutrition program provides quality care for uterine cancer patients through nutritional assessment, education, supplementation and support.

Assessment

The first step in developing an individualized nutrition plan to be followed throughout your uterine cancer treatment is assessment. The assessment may include:

• Laboratory analysis of your blood: In this process, we evaluate the current status of your immune system (immunocompetence) and protein stores.
• Your medical history and nutrition interview: This helps our nutritional team understand your appetite, food preferences, the status of your digestive system and any existing or potential complications you may have.
• Computerized diet profile: This is a three-day nutrient intake analysis completed by you.
• Nutrition anthropometrics: These are body measurements made to determine your percent of body fat and loss of lean tissue.

Following your admission to a CTCA facility for uterine cancer treatment, additional tests may be performed. These include:

• Indirect calorimetry: This is a simple breathing test to measure your calorie requirements.
• Nitrogen balance: This is a measurement of protein loss to determine if protein is being utilized properly by your body.

Diet

Throughout your uterine cancer treatment, you will be encouraged to eat foods that provide optimal nutritional benefit. A registered dietitian will work with you to develop an individualized meal plan. Healthy foods your dietitian may suggest include fish, poultry, legumes, low-fat yogurt, fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains and cereals. For a sampling of some of the nutritious recipes we use in our own hospitals, click here.

Supplementation

An important way for you to gain essential nutrients your diet may not supply is to take vitamin and mineral supplements. They can offer a boost where uterine cancer may have depleted your body. The CTCA supplementation plan includes nutrients that may support your immune system and may reduce toxic side effects of conventional uterine cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. Recommended daily dosages of nutrients may include:

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

Nutritional support

If at any time during your uterine cancer treatment you are unable to eat or digest food, nutrition may be provided parenterally (through a vein) or enterally (through a feeding tube). The nutrition/metabolic support team at CTCA—comprised of a physician, nutrition specialist, nurse and pharmacist—works closely with you, should you require nutrition support.

Education

At CTCA, our goal is to educate and empower you to take control of your uterine cancer treatment. Registered dietitians are available for consultation during your time with us. Programs and classes on nutrition and cancer, and cooking demonstrations are presented regularly. Books, articles and other publications on cancer and nutrition are also available.

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