Nutrition and colorectal cancer
Making healthy food choices that fit overall lifestyle choices can make a meaningful difference throughout your path with colorectal cancer.
Nutrition in cancer care
While some doctors offer nutrition advice during the cancer journey, registered dietitians are the go-to experts for thorough nutritional guidance specific to your individual needs. Implementing a safe and healthy dietary plan can improve your overall health and quality of life.
There are many things to consider around how to optimally eat and hydrate during cancer treatment. Some cancer treatments can lead to malnutrition or cause side effects—such as anorexia and cachexia—that affect nutrition.
Nutrition information just for you
Nutrition with an ostomy
Have you had a colostomy or colectomy? Learn how some small adjustments your diet can make a big difference in your wellness.
Nutrition with Low Anterior Resection Syndrome
Have you had a lower anterior resection or any other surgery for colon or rectal cancer? Most surgery patients experience some form a LAR Syndrome.
Nutrition with Crohn's-Colitis, Short-bowel Syndrome, or IBS-IBD
Do you have Crohn's-Colitis, Short-bowel syndrome, or IBS/IBD? Learn how changes in food preparation and avoiding trigger foods can help you.
Preventing dehydration
Dehydration is very common, can sneak up on you and can be quite scary. Learn about the common causes, symptoms and how to avoid dehydration.
Diet tips to prevent intestinal bowel distress
A must read for all colon and rectal cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. Learn what the nutrition experts recommend for preventing intestinal and bowel distress.
Living with cancer nutritional videos
There are many different diet trends. Learn more about the relationship of sugar, keto, healthy cooking, and cancer.
Good nutrition is especially important for cancer patients and survivors
Nutrition is a process in which food is taken in and used by the body for growth, to keep the body healthy, and replace tissue. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after cancer treatment can help a patient feel better, respond better to treatment, and stay stronger. A healthy diet includes eating and drinking enough of the foods and liquids that have important nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fat, and water) the body needs.
The healthy eating plate shows the balance of food groups that promote health. A dietitian with knowledge of cancer care can assess individual needs and provide more specific guidance. For example, if a person is weak and an assessment shows low protein stores, the dietitian can lay out a plan for increasing dietary protein intake. If a person is on immunotherapy, a dietician might draw upon new research suggesting that a plant-based diet will enhance treatment response and develop a plan accordingly.
Image Credit: Courtesy of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School
Living with Cancer: Sugar in the Diet
Dr Clare Shaw, Specialist Consultant Oncology Dietitian and part of the Taking Cancer on Through Flavour team, talks about the relationship between sugar and cancer.
Learn about essential nutrients
It is important to learn about essential nutrients and managing a healthy weight.
Nutrition counseling with a registered dietician can improve patient balance of essential nutrients, such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. It can also help maintain a healthy body weight. Some patients struggle with cancer-related malnutrition concerns as they begin treatment, others find themselves gaining weight despite efforts to stay healthy. At either end of the weight spectrum, poor nutrition could impact quality of life and even prognosis.
Image Credit: World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research.
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Content has been developed in partnership with MSAC member Dr. Cynthia Thomson, Ph.D., RD
Top resources
Nutrition and lifestyle tips to help prevent colorectal cancer
When you pay attention to nutrition, you are ensuring that you maintain adequate levels of essential vitamins and nutrients to help keep your body healthy.
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The launch of the Alliance's Integrative Health and Wellness program comes after a survey conducted earlier this year showed that patients, survivors, and caregivers receive inconsistent information about integrative health and wellness, if they receive any information at all. The survey also showed that most individuals who have participated in these activities have noticed a positive difference in their quality of life.
Colon cancer and hydration: Keeping well and staying healthy
There are various steps you can take to check your hydration levels, and to remedy them if you’re suffering the effects of a lack of fluid.