This information aims to assist with understanding the importance of good nutrition, before, during and after cancer treatment.  It also provides suggestions on how to overcome common problems often encountered with cancer.

 

We suggest that you familiarise yourself with the information provided, and then seek out the sections that may be relevant to you.

 

Good nutrition is very important as it can help you to:

 

• Maintain well-being;
• Cope better with some of the effects of cancer treatment; and

• Maintain your weight at a suitable level, or regain lost weight

 

Managing common side effects during radiation therapy:
  

The side effects of radiation treatment vary from patient to patient. The side effects depend mostly on the radiation dose and the part of your body that is treated. Before beginning your treatment, your doctor will discuss the side effects you might experience, how long they might last, and how serious they might be.Side effects may be acute or chronic. Acute side effects are referred to as "early side effects". They occur soon after the treatment begins and usually are gone within a few weeks of finishing therapy. Chronic side effects may take months or years to develop and are usually permanent.The most common early side effects of radiation therapy are fatigue and skin changes. They can result from radiation to any treatment site. For example, temporary or permanent hair loss may be a side effect of radiation treatment to the head. Fortunately, most side effects will go away in time. In the meantime, there are ways to reduce discomfort. Be sure to tell your doctor, nurse, or radiation therapist about any side effects that you notice. They can help you treat the problems and tell you how to lessen the chances that the side effects will come back.

 A diagnosis of cancer might leave you with many questions.  Here are some guidelines on what you could ask your doctor or oncologist 

GVI Oncology recognises that when cancer is diagnosed the whole family is touched by the experience.