“Food is a big part of people’s lives — family time, culture and holidays,” says Debbie Kurzrock, R.D., a Mills-Peninsula registered dietitian who works in Radiation Oncology at the Dorothy E. Schneider Cancer Center in San Mateo.
Debbie Kurzrock, R.D.
“So it’s really upsetting when a person is diagnosed with cancer and suddenly they can’t eat the way they did before,” she says.
Often cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, negatively affect people’s sense of taste. Other side effects can include fatigue, nausea, difficulty swallowing or diarrhea.
“I meet with people who are going through cancer treatment and I make suggestions to help bolster nutrition or cope with loss of appetite,” Kurzrock says.
“When people are in cancer treatment, they are destroying their cells,” she explains. “So it’s very important they get the right nutrients to rebuild them.”
Tips for Better Eating During Cancer Treatment
If you are nauseous and can’t eat, focus on staying hydrated. Sip on broth or drink juice
Don’t stress if you have a bad day. Make up for it by adding more calories and protein on days you feel better
Protein needs are higher for people receiving cancer treatment. Pack in more protein with beans, fish, almond butter or cheese
Eat the rainbow: Get cancer-fighting antioxidants from colorful fruits and veggies such as carrots, tomatoes, grapefruit and spinach
Combat loss of appetite by eating smaller, more frequent snacks throughout the day
If hot food smells trigger nausea, try a fruit and yogurt smoothie
Debbie Kurzrock, R.D., a Mills-Peninsula registered dietitian who works in Radiation Oncology at the Dorothy E. Schneider Cancer Center in San Mateo, contributed to this blog post.
Dr. Harriet Borofsky, medical director of breast imaging at Mills-Peninsula's Women's Center
More than 200,000 new cases are detected every year; 4,500 here in the Bay Area. One in seven women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, making it the most common cancer among women. Although breast cancer survival rates have improved in recent years, the number of new cases is rising and the risk of developing the disease also increases with age. A woman’s chance of developing breast cancer at age 60 is 10 times higher than at age 50.
“The good news is that the past two decades have seen significant, life-saving new technologies in the area of early detection and diagnosis,” says Harriet Borofsky, M.D., medical director of breast imaging at Mills-Peninsula’s Women’s Center.
Skin cancer is on the rise for all age groups, and melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — is increasing in people over 65. Because you accumulate sun damage throughout your life, even in later years, good habits are important at every age. Being smart about sun protection will help you stay safe while enjoying the summer.
One in seven women may be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime – making it the most common cancer in women. In this blog post and video, Dr. Harriet Borofsky, medical director of breast imaging at the Women’s Center at Mills-Peninsula Health Services, shows us the technological advances in today’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Here at the Women’s Center, one of our main passions is early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. According to statistics, one in seven women may be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, making it the most common cancer among women. There are over 200,000 newly diagnosed breast cancer cases per year in the United States and 4,500 here in the Bay Area. This is a disease that touches all of our lives in one way or another and despite what many think, most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no specific risk factors other than the two main risks, being a woman and having breasts. The great news is, the past two decades have seen significant life-saving new technologies in the area of early detection and diagnosis and new surgical radiation therapy and oncology approaches to manage this disease.
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