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Nutrition Services

Good nutrition is a very important part of cancer treatment. A healthy diet can help your body's cells and energy level, especially if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Our dietician has special training in helping cancer patients and their families make healthy food choices.

Changes in Appetite

With cancer treatment, some patients experience a change in their appetite. Our dietician may help you answer some of the questions you might have, such as:

• If I don't feel like eating, how can I get the nutrition my body needs?
• Should I take a multivitamin?

Support Services

The diagnosis and treatment of cancer will change your life. Routines and relationships will be interrupted. This is normal. As with any change, we all react differently because the experience is very personal. Most of us will experience some distress.

Sometimes, getting information is all you need to help regain balance in your life. That's why we provide resources you can turn to. But sometimes you need more than information, because having cancer can be a very emotional experience.

Seeking support from family and friends can be helpful; talking with your clergy may help. Or you may seek professional counseling by those who are trained to deal with the emotional and psychological strains associated with having been diagnosed with cancer.

The social work services at United Radiation Oncology are available to patients and their families to help cope with concerns and anxieties that may arise during treatment.

Our social worker also helps patients identify community-based resources to meet various needs such as transportation, housing and support groups. The social worker can also assist with other specials needs such as financial applications for Social Security Disability.

Talk with your healthcare team if you think it might be helpful to see the social worker.

Managing Side Effects

For some patients, cancer treatment may cause side effects that affect the digestive system or their ability to eat. Our dietician can help you identify the best things to eat if you are struggling with any of the following:

• Mouth sores
• Trouble swallowing
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

Weight Changes

You may be concerned about changes in your weight and need answers to questions such as:

• Does my weight change signal any special risk to my overall health?
• What can I do to put weight on or take it off?

Patients will meet with our dietician to help with good nutrition, manage changes in appetite, deal with side effects of treatment and advise you on foods and supplements that will help rebuild strength.

For more information, please go to: www.oncolink.upenn.edu/coping/index.cfm