In focus: diet - introduction

[OvacomeSupport]

Hello, everyone

This month in our ‘Health in Focus’ posts, we’ll be looking at diet. Often, people diagnosed with cancer make changes to their diet because they want to support their health. In these posts, we’ll look at some of the types of food that we are asked about on the support service, whether to eliminate or reduce consumption and the evidence around this.

The media sometimes report that certain foods are ‘cancer-fighting’ or increase the risk of particular cancers. So far, research hasn’t established a conclusive link between any particular food or diet and the risk of ovarian cancer (wcrf.org/dietandcancer/ovar.... The general advice for people diagnosed with cancer is to follow a healthy, balanced diet including vegetables, starchy foods, some dairy or dairy alternatives and healthy proteins such as lean meat, fish or eggs. If you would like individual advice about any dietary changes that could be helpful for you, you can ask your team. If necessary, you may be referred to a dietitian for specialist advice.

No conclusive evidence has been found that any dietary regime helps to shrink or stabilise cancer.

In this month’s posts, we’ll be looking at some of the dietary changes that people diagnosed with cancer sometimes make and the evidence around them. We will explore vegetarian/vegan diets and soy, sugar and carbohydrates and intermittent fasting. If there are any topics that you would like us to cover in future posts, please let us know.

There is known to be a link between consumption of red and processed meats and the risk of bowel cancer (bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-.... There have also been media reports in the past suggesting that dairy products can increase the risk of cancer, but so far the evidence does not support this (cancerresearchuk.org/about-....

Two specialist oncology dieticians gave a talk about diet and cancer at our 2018 Health and Wellbeing Day. You can download their presentation slides at ovacome.org.uk/diet-and-nut... You can also find the NHS Eatwell Guide at nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/t...

Each person is different, and your dietary needs may also change as you go through and finish your treatment and after treatment ends.

For example, during chemotherapy you may eat differently if you have side effects such as nausea, mouth ulcers or taste changes. We wrote about this in our posts on managing the effects of chemotherapy at

healthunlocked.com/ovacome/...

and

healthunlocked.com/ovacome/...

It’s important to take in enough calories during chemotherapy to maintain your energy levels. If there are some foods that are easier for you to eat your team may advise you to eat enough of what you can enjoy or tolerate rather than trying to eat foods that you feel you ‘should’ have.

If your blood tests show any deficiency, such as iron, you may be given supplements or advised to eat specific foods. If you have a stoma, it’s likely that certain foods will affect how it functions and you will find that you need to adapt your diet. Your stoma nurse will be able to give you advice about this.

If you would like to share your experiences of diet following an ovarian cancer diagnosis or have any tips on it, please comment on this post. If you would like information or support, please contact our Support Line on 07503 682 311 or 0800 008 7054 or email [e-mail].

Best wishes

Julia (Ovacome Support Services Officer)

[Ruebacelle]

What i found was a complete indifference to diet by the docs but nurses were much more au courant. I did light fasting before and after chemo and found i didnt have fatigue ... or any nausea. Pharmacists are also much more informed about diet. And the actual notice for each drug will tell you about contraindicated supplements or foods. Alcohol is listed in all of the notices as a nono. Hypericum and some supplements such as termuric also but not turmeric powder you cook with. Echinacea was on most no lists. So i start w the drug co notice then pharmacist then nurses.

[Nicky100]

Hi Julie,

This is absolutely brilliant, and really helpful for so many people. Thank you and well done.

Nicky

[Jacky5]

How interesting.

I want to do everything I can to prevent my cancer returning. I've wondered about special diets and if they actually work. I found the information really clear and helpful.

Many thanks.