Vaginal Cancer Treatments – Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition Therapy for Vaginal Cancer

Nutrition therapy is an integral component of vaginal cancer treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). Here, we understand that vaginal cancer and its treatment can deplete your body's nutrients, cause weight loss, affect your appetite, and/or interfere with your ability to digest foods. This can leave you in a vulnerable condition, making it more difficult to fight the disease. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, about one-third of all cancer deaths are related to malnutrition.

At CTCA, our whole-patient approach means we help you fight vaginal cancer on all fronts, including providing comprehensive nutritional support. Our team of registered dietitians will provide you with an individualized nutrition plan designed to help reduce treatment-related side effects, improve quality of life, and provide the extra strength you need to fight vaginal cancer.

The nutrition program at CTCA aims to provide quality care through nutritional assessment, education, supplementation, and support. As a vaginal cancer patient at CTCA, your dietitian will assess your unique nutritional needs, and then work together with you to develop an individualized plan for you. The goal is to meet your unique nutritional needs throughout your treatment and beyond.

Nutrition Assessment

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

• 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.

After your admission to a CTCA facility for vaginal cancer treatment, additional tests may be performed, such as the following:

• 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 vaginal 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 develop an individualized meal plan for you to follow throughout your vaginal cancer treatment. Selections include fish, poultry, legumes, low-fat yogurt, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and cereals, and other healthy food choices. Click here for nutritional recipe cards.

Supplementation

At CTCA, we offer custom-developed, ultra-pure vitamin and mineral supplements which can help provide nutrients that your diet may not, and offer a boost where vaginal cancer may have depleted your body. The CTCA supplementation plan aims to help support your immune system and reduce toxic side effects of conventional vaginal cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.

Your dietitian at CTCA 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 point during your vaginal cancer treatment, your care team at CTCA can provide nutrition in other ways, such as parenterally (through a vein) or enterally (through a feeding tube). The nutrition and metabolic support team, comprised of a physician, registered dietitian, nurse and pharmacist, will work closely with you should you require nutritional support.

Nutrition Education

At CTCA, our goal is to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout your vaginal cancer treatment and beyond. Patient education is an important part of this effort. CTCA registered dietitians are available for consultation during your vaginal cancer treatment. We also offer helpful programs, classes, and cooking demonstrations, as well as books, articles, and other publications on cancer and nutrition.

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