While the most diagnosed cancers in the world are lung (13.0%), breast (11.9%) and colon (9.7%), the most deaths from cancer are lung (19.4%), liver (9.7%). 9.1% and stomach (8.8%) were reported to occur.
The International Cancer Agency has particularly drawn attention to the increase in breast cancer. He stated that the incidence of breast cancer in women increased by 20% and deaths from breast cancer increased by 14% compared to previous assumptions. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among female cancers and causes the most death. One out of every 4 women with cancer in the world is breast cancer. International Cancer Agency Leader Dr Wild stated that breast cancer is caused by changes in living conditions in particular. The incidence of breast cancer is higher in developed countries than in developing countries, and death from breast cancer is lower in developed countries than in developing countries. Dr. Wild stated that this is due to the problem of women living in underdeveloped countries in accessing breast cancer diagnosis, screening and treatment services. Therefore, he emphasized the necessity of increasing efforts for early diagnosis, screening and treatment of breast cancer, especially in underdeveloped countries.
Cancer is one of the important health problems that threaten health in the world and in our country, and it ranks second after cardiovascular diseases in many countries of the world and in Turkey, in the midst of diseases that cause death. In 2012, the average number of new cancer patients in the USA was 1.683,910. When the situation in Turkey is examined, 396 thousand cancer cases were found in the middle of 2000-2006 according to the information of the Turkish Ministry of Health. Every year, an average of 140 thousand people die of cancer, and 150 thousand individuals are diagnosed with new cancer. It is assumed that this rate will increase to 500 thousand in the next 20 years. It is estimated that the population of cancer patients expected in 2022 will reach 18 million and in 2030 it will reach 22 million.
Nutritional deficiency develops in 40% of cancer patients during diagnosis and treatment.
More than 20% of cancer patients die from nutritional complications rather than primary diseases.(Çehreli, 2004)(Oncology textbook, 2008, Cancer Pract 1994;2:123-31). In a study, Vigano et al. (2007) stated that cancer patients lost more than 8.1 kg in 6 weeks.
It is known that cancer and cancer treatments cause negative effects on the consumption, digestion, absorption and metabolism processes of nutrients. (Baron and Pencharz, 2007)
Intraoral lesions especially in patients with head and neck cancer. affects oral food intake.
Oncology patients should be evaluated from the nutritional point of view at the time of diagnosis, nutritional baseline should be started for patients deemed necessary and followed up at regular intervals.
When the nutritional status is evaluated, it is necessary to enrich the oral food intake in terms of protein power in patients with mild-to-moderate malnutrition and who can take oral food, albeit a little.
Oral nutrition makes the patient feel well in terms of physiological, mental and social aspects.
Ready-to-use oral nutrition solutions can be recommended for patients who can take less than 60% of the nutrients they need to take orally.
Nutritional disorder; It develops depending on the tumor, the treatment, the side effects of the treatment, and the metabolic state.
Target in nutritional supplementation;
To maintain the patient’s weight
To prevent deterioration of the general condition
To prevent the development of malnutrition.
Symptoms in a cancer patient; anorexia, nausea-vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia, mucositis, constipation, pain, decrease in taste, change in taste, insufficient fluid intake, malnutrition, muscle and weight loss.
While evaluating the nutritional status of cancer patients; chemotherapy, radiotherapy, mental state of the person, cultural factors, socioeconomic level, comorbidities (eg diabetes), drugs used (eg antibiotics, antidepressants, analgesics), alcohol consumption should be considered.
Anamnesis, patient’s eating style and habits, complaints such as early satiety, inappropriate use of various vitamins and herbs, physical examination, anthropometric measurements and laboratory findings should be considered.
Anthropometric measurements to be considered in nutritional evaluation;
Length
Weight
Body weight for age
Length for age
Weight for height
Medium arm circumference
Subcutaneous thickness
Body mass index (BMI)
It has been determined that certain nutritional factors stimulate the immune response in the patient. Adding these aspects to the diet can strengthen the response to infection.
Arginine increases the bactericidal activity of macrophages and vasodilation. It stimulates T-cell proliferation, modulates nitrogen stability and regulates protein synthesis.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to induce an immune response.
Glutamine roughens the loss of protein from the intestines, bacterial passage, and increases phagocytosis.
WHY IS NUTRITION VALUABLE IN CANCER PATIENTS?
Protection against infections,
Wound beautification,
Prevents muscle and organ deterioration,
Prevents depletion of vitamins and minerals in the body,
It provides resistance to cancer treatment,
prevents malnutrition,
It provides reduction of mental dysfunctions.
Nutritional proposals in the cancer treatment process;
It should be fed adequately and consistently.
Ideal body weight should be preserved.
Fat and sugar consumption should be reduced.
Fatty meats and offal should be avoided as much as possible.
Frying should not be preferred as a way of cooking for foods, instead, oven, steaming, boiling cooking methods should be preferred.
Too much salt consumption, too salty foods such as pickles and pickles should be avoided.
Vegetables and fruits, one of the cancer-preventing aspects, should be consumed up to 5 servings a day.
Foods that are in direct contact with fire, cooked at very high temperatures and smoked should not be consumed.
At least 2 servings of legumes should be consumed per week.
Attention should be paid to the consumption of pulpy foods (bran bread, whole wheat bread, bulgur, cracked wheat) that are strong in selenium and vitamin E and are protective against cancer.
POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN PREPARING MEAL;
Hands should be washed,
Hands should not touch hair, mouth and nose,
Jewelry on hand should be removed,
Bonnet and mask should be worn while preparing food,
Steel, porcelain and glass artifacts should be preferred in cooking and serving,
Meals should be cooked in a pressure cooker or with a baking formula,
Meals should be cooked at 70 C for at least two minutes
Washed with plenty of water, solid, thick-skinned fruits and vegetables should be preferred
Foods 1 part vinegar or lemon juice should be kept in 9 parts water for half an hour,
Frying oil should be used for once and frying style foods should not be consumed,
fruits and vegetables such as greens and strawberries that are consumed without peeling should not be consumed,
Fruit juice and milk should be sterile (pasteurized) in the UHT system,
Wood and coal fired. e cooked foods should not be consumed,
should be fed at small and frequent intervals in order not to tire the stomach,
fresh meals that have been properly cooked and not kept waiting should be consumed,
Hard and properly cooked eggs and egg foods should be consumed,
Foods such as cream and mayonnaise containing uncooked and undercooked eggs should be avoided,
Food labels should be read, expired/waited/moldy foods should not be consumed,
Restaurant and open food Food and beverages sold in places should be avoided,
Spicy and bitter foods should be avoided,
Pickled products (such as pickles, cheese, pickled leaves) should not be consumed,
Disposable cups/ bottle should be consumed,
acidic foods such as cola and similar should not be consumed,
drinks containing alcohol and caffeine should not be consumed,
Nuts with shells should not be consumed,
Foods should not be consumed too hot or too cold,
Sea products such as raw meat and fish should not be consumed,
Fresh cheese / moldy cheese should not be consumed,
From canned foods should be avoided,
should rest after meals, should not lie down quickly,
Grapefruit should not be consumed in Cyclosporine/Tacrolimus treatment,
Frozen foods should be thawed in the refrigerator,
Early DIAGNOSIS saves lives.
Because your health is more precious than anything else..
