Mesothelioma Food
Mesothelioma patients and their food needs should be monitored closely. The debilitating effects of cancer of the mesothelium — whether peritoneal, pericardial or pleural — make it especially difficult for a patient to keep up a normal level of good nutrition. Mesothelioma can depress the appetite and have other deleterious effects such as:
- diarrhea
- dry and/or sore mouth
- extreme fatigue
- nausea
Encouraging Food Consumption
Encouraging a mesothelioma patient's consumption of the right kinds of food — and an adequate amount of food — is a role that family member or other caregivers can take on. By knowing what, how and how much a cancer patient should be eating, a caregiver can be a very valuable adjunct to a patient's medical treatment.
Ask the Physician about Food for a Mesothelioma Patient
The best source for guidelines regarding a mesothelioma patient's food needs is his or her treating physician(s), who can provide food information that is tailored specifically to the patient's circumstances, taking into account his or her:
- medical history
- stage of mesothelioma
- treatment modality (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination)
- physical status
- prognosis
In the meantime, here is some general information about mesothelioma survival food for patients.
Food Guidelines for a Cancer Patient Are Different
Although food guidelines for healthy individuals generally recommend a diet that includes a lot of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, less meat and dairy and minimal salt, fat and sugar, the recommendations for mesothelioma patients are significantly different. Food guidelines for a person with cancer often focus on higher-calorie and higher-protein foods, such as:
- eggs
- cheese
- meat, including beef and chicken
- whole milk
- sauces, gravies and salad dressings
- butter, margarine, oil
The focus on these foods is intended to help a cancer patient gain or maintain strength and tolerate his or her treatment(s). It may also be a challenge for a patient with mesothelioma or other cancer to eat enough to get adequate levels of nutrients, and the above calorie and nutrient-dense foods will help in this regard.
For more information about the right diet for a mesothelioma patient and to find out where to obtain useful recipes, please contact Mesothelioma Treatment Centers today.
