Patient Support

Nutritional Support

Good nutrition is an important part of your treatment for cancer. Eating the right kinds of food before, during and after your treatment can help you feel better and stay stronger.

Cancer treatment may cause side effects such as:

• Changes in appetite
• Changes in weight
• Changes in taste
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Changes in eating habits

A healthy diet supports cell repair and helps prevent infection.

Before treatment, proper nutrition may improve health, giving you greater resistance to the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

 During and after treatment, nutrition fuels the growth and maintenance of new tissue and repairs damaged cells.

 Central Maine Medical Center’s Dietitians can help you manage changes in appetite and weight, help you deal with the side effects of cancer treatment, and advise you about foods and supplements that will help you rebuild strength.

 If you would like to visit with a dietitian, please ask your doctor or nurse. They will arrange for a referral. Your visit and any necessary follow-up visits will try to be coordinated with your other visits to the Central Maine Medical Center campus.

 The following website is an excellent source of information on nutrition in cancer care: National Cancer Institute