Nutrition plays a crucial role in cancer treatment, as it helps maintain the patient’s strength and energy during the therapeutic process. A proper diet can improve tolerance to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, minimize side effects, and prevent excessive loss of weight and muscle mass. In addition, good nutrition strengthens the immune system, which is vital for fighting infections and promoting the body’s recovery.
What symptoms can be improved by oncologic nutrition?
- Loss of appetite: by offering strategies to stimulate appetite and ensure adequate caloric intake.
- Nausea and vomiting: by suggesting foods and dietary guidelines that can help reduce these symptoms and improve food tolerance.
- Diarrhea and constipation: by adjusting the diet to include foods that regulate intestinal transit and improve digestive function.
- Loss of weight and muscle mass: by designing meal plans rich in nutrients and calories to prevent malnutrition and maintain lean body mass.
- Fatigue: by providing a balanced diet that includes energy-dense and easily digestible foods to help combat weakness and fatigue.
- Alterations in taste and smell: Modifying food preparation to make it more appealing and tasty, adapting to the patient’s sensory changes.
- Dry mouth and sore mouth or throat: Recommending soft, moist, easy-to-swallow foods to facilitate eating and maintain hydration.
- Immunosuppression: Providing a nutrient-rich diet that strengthens the immune system and helps prevent infections.
Treatment phases
Oncologic nutrition treatment is structured in several phases to ensure comprehensive care tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
Initial nutritional assessment
The initial nutritional assessment is essential to establish a starting point in oncologic nutrition treatment. During this phase, the oncologic dietitian performs a thorough analysis of the patient’s nutritional status, including a review of their medical history, eating habits, weight, body composition, and potential nutritional deficiencies. This assessment helps identify specific needs and potential risks.
Personalized Diet Plan
After the initial assessment, a personalized diet plan is designed that is tailored to the unique needs and conditions of each cancer patient. This plan includes specific recommendations on calorie, protein, vitamin, and mineral intake, and is adjusted based on the type of cancer, treatment received, and symptoms presented. The goal is to provide a balanced diet that supports recovery, minimizes treatment side effects, and maintains the patient’s optimal nutritional status.
Ongoing Support and Follow-Up
Throughout the process, the oncology dietitian works closely with the patient, making adjustments to the diet plan based on the evolution of their health status and changes in their cancer treatment. This follow-up includes regular check-ups, progress monitoring, and resolution of any nutritional issues that may arise. Ongoing support not only ensures adherence to the nutritional plan, but also provides motivation and peace of mind to the patient during their fight against cancer.
Dr. Carina Gimeno – Nutritionist
Graduate in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Valencia, specializing in Nutrition and Dietetics. She has a master’s degree in Human Nutrition (University of Sheffield) and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition (Autonomous University of Madrid). She is accredited to conduct ISAK anthropometric studies (level 2). She has more than 20 years of experience, including having been Team Leader of the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit at the Quirón Hospital in Valencia since 1999. She combines her professional activity with teaching, being a professor and director of the Master’s Degree in Advances in Clinical Nutrition at the Cardenal Herrera University. Speaks spanish and english.
Fees
- First visit €120 (1 hour, includes medical and dietary asessment)
- Second visit €80
- Check-ups €70
Schedule
- Tuesdays from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00.