Breast Cancer: Diet and Weight During and After Treatment

Author: Shannon Miller

Woman preparing a healthy meal.

According to the ACS (American Cancer Society), 207,090 women will be given a breast cancer diagnosis in 2010.

It is suggested by ACS that diet/nutrition and weight considerations are important for breast cancer patients and survivors.

For cancer patients, eating right is no easy feat; appetite suppression, nausea, and changes in sense of taste can all become issues.  Fortunately, these things get better over time.  ACS makes two suggestions regarding getting over these diet/nutrition hurdles:

  • Consult your cancer team about seeing a dietitian. A dietitian can provide you with some helpful insight on how to battle the side effects of your treatment that are influencing your diet/nutrition habits.
  • Adjust your eating schedule by eating small portions of food every 2 to 3 hours until you feel good enough to go back to a regular schedule.

After treatment, ACS stresses the importance of eating healthy.

Some healthy eating tips include:

  • Eat 5 or more serving of vegetables and fruit per day.
  • Limit meats that are high in fat.
  • Cut back on processed foods (i.e. bolgna, hot dogs, and bacon).

According to ACS, achieving and maintaining a specific weight is very difficult for a breast cancer patient.  Many studies have suggested that women who are obese and overweight when diagnosed with breast cancer are more likely to suffer complications related to recurrence and survival.  After treatment, overweight women are encouraged to lose weight.  If the doctor approves it, attempts at weight loss can even begin during treatment.  Research is still mixed regarding the extent to which weight Woman doing leg lift exercise at home.gain after diagnosis affects recurrence and survival.

Weight gain is always difficult but having to deal with this issue can be even more trying after fighting the battle with cancer.

Don’t let cancer, or your weight, control you. Allow physical activity and healthy eating to empower you to take back control of your destiny. Women are amazing at handling so much for so many. Don’t forget about taking care of YOU.

Thank you to everyone that came out to visit us at the Shannon Miller Lifestyle booths at the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure Health and Fitness Expo, the Southern Women’s Show and the Clay County Health Fair.

With your participation in these great events you serve as examples to your children and community, help a wonderful cause and reap the benefits of a healthy and fit lifestyle yourself!

Above information adapted from www.cancer.org

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