The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.108)

2019 • 03 54 ellness A Proper Diet for Cancer Patients I brought my daughter to a cake shop to buy a cake for her 7th birthday. Overwhelmed by the variety of choices offered by the cake shop, my daughter said, “I cannot decide which one to pick.” The dilemma sounded familiar. Not long ago, Aunt Lim rang me up over her doubts. “I have gathered advice from many sources; some cautioned against consuming leftovers, others suggested abstaining from red meat, poultry and even soy-based products.” To this I added, “I also heard people claiming that protein-rich food should be avoided because they feed the growth of cancer.” I have encountered these common myths countless times. Following her cancer diagnosis, Aunt Lim was confused by the multitude of “advice” she received on nutrition and dietary choices. She used to loathe brown rice for its coarse, dry texture and unappealing taste. But now, being cautious and unsure, she eats only brown rice and vegetables for her main meals. “Does eating even a morsel of meat make you anxious?” I asked out of concern, to which she replied, “I am afraid that the tumour feeds on protein and becomes enlarged!” Sustainable education is key I tend to educate those who consult me It is commonly known that chemotherapy and radiotherapy not only destroy cancer cells, but they also damage the healthy cells to some extent. This proves that the notion of avoiding nutritious food during therapy to starve the cancerous cells has been a misconception. instead of merely feeding them with one-off solutions. I strongly believe that it is worthwhile and beneficial to spend more time educating them on nutrition and dietary intake. A cancer patient’s weight is likely to fluctuate as a side effect of the cancer itself and therapy. Hence, doctors would advise cancer patients to eat well in order to prevent weight loss, because sufficient nutrient intake and maintaining a healthy weight ensure that the treatment procedure progresses smoothly. Conversely, weight loss renders therapy less effective. During treatment, some cancer patients are able to recover favourably from a dip in their white blood cell count. Yet, every patient responds to treatment differently. Treatment might have to be delayed for those with a lower rate of recovery. Among the many reasons for poor recovery include the inability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells, a poor diet and nutrient deficiency. White blood cells protect the body from bacterial infection. A low white blood cell count is indicative of declining immunity, thus increasing susceptibility to infections. The main concern behind Aunt Lim’s phone call was her continuous weight loss and a drastically Translated by Lee Hui Yieng