Ask the expert
Diet for ovarian cancer and chemotherapy
Question
My friend is being treated for Ovarian cancer and is undergoing a course in chemo. She has received very conflicting info regarding diet and she is losing a significant amount of weight despite her very bloated tummy full of fluid. Should she eat dairy produce, red meats? Should she avoid sugar? How can she help boost her immune system between chemo sessions?
Answer
It can be very confusing to be faced with conflicting advice about what to eat and I can appreciate your concerns.
Reductions in red meat, dairy produce and sugar/sugary foods are often recommended as part of a ‘complementary’ or ‘alternative’ diet. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that these diets can control cancer or influence a person’s survival once they have it.
In essence, any cancer patient should be encouraged to eat a well balanced diet. It is important that the body has enough protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins and minerals to maintain health and be fit enough to tolerate anti-cancer treatment.
If your friend is keen to avoid the foods you have mentioned, as long as she can still achieve a balanced diet, e.g. by including other sources of protein into her diet, and her weight is stable then it may be considered safe for her to continue.
As you mention that your friend has lost a significant amount of weight then I would certainly be more cautious about avoiding any particular foods, especially when they may actually be a valuable source of nutrition at this time. Weight loss can be indicative of malnutrition, and your friend will feel weaker, less able to heal, and more vulnerable to infection if she is under-nourished. As a consequence, she may find it more difficult tolerate her chemotherapy treatment.
In terms of boosting her immune system between chemo cycles, again this comes back to eating well and ensuring an adequate intake of all key nutrients.
I would recommend that your friend asks her hospital doctor or GP to refer her to a registered dietitian for an individual nutritional assessment. The dietitian is specially trained to calculate nutritional requirements and advise on ways to ensure these requirements are met whilst incorporating your friend’s wishes. The dietitian will also be able to advise on your friends weight loss and offer support with any other nutritional concerns.
