Cancers occurring in the head and neck region are usually categorised together. Head and neck cancers include cancers of the skin over this region, cancers in the sinuses, nose, mouth, throat, thyroid and salivary glands. Treatment options like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy can sometimes have a significant impact on one’s ability to chew and swallow. This can affect their nutritional intake and can lead to weight loss. If not carefully managed, this weight loss can become severe, resulting in undernutrition (muscle and fat loss). Undernutrition can weaken your body’s response to treatment, slow healing, and reduce your overall well-being.
Side Effects of Treatment
Some of the common side effects that patients may face during treatment include:
- Difficulty in chewing and swallowing
- Mouth sores
- Dry mouth
- Taste changes
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
To help patients manage treatment side effects and maintain a healthy weight, a personalised consultation with a dietitian is strongly encouraged. Dietitians can help create a plan and provide tips to help make eating easier and ensure you get the nutrients your body needs to fight cancer and recover well.
You may use the following tips to improve your nutrition intake during treatment:
- Eat small and frequent meals
- Focus on getting enough protein from sources such as fish, chicken, tofu, eggs, and more
- Opt for soft and bite-sized food to make chewing and swallowing easier
- Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly
- Drink nutrient-dense beverages between meals, like milkshakes and smoothies
- Consider using Oral Nutrition Supplements to increase calorie and protein intake (do consult a dietitian before use)
If you need help with managing the side effects from your cancer treatment and to boost your nutrients consumption, sign up for an appointment with our registered dietitians today. You may also check out our 365 recipes for more healthy meal ideas and options to help you eat well on your journey to recovery!
