How do cancer and its treatment affect nutritional status?
Side effects of treatment, the body’s response to tumors and certain medications can all contribute to changes in the way nutrients are processed. • Surgery increases the need for protein and calories to help support recovery. • Radiation and chemotherapy may interfere with normal eating habits by causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, difficulty swallowing and a sore or dry mouth. • Chemotherapy uses “anticancer” drugs that can destroy abnormal cancer cells by stopping them from growing or multiplying uncontrollably. However, healthy cells can also be harmed, especially those that divide quickly such as cells lining the digestive tract. Harm to healthy cells is what causes side effects. These cells usually repair themselves after chemotherapy. • Tumors may produce substances that decrease appetite and increase the body’s metabolism, causing accelerated weight loss and muscle breakdown.
