Dietary Changes for Patients with NSCLC
Dubbed the most common type of lung cancer by the American Cancer Association, non-small cell lung cancers (or NSCLC) make up approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. While cancer is not always preventable, there are certain lifestyle changes we can make to help lower the risk of NSCLC. In addition, those diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer can also incorporate certain foods into their diets to help prevent NSCLC from metastasizing (spreading to other tissues and organs in the body). In addition, NSCLC patients may suffer certain negative side effects—nausea, loss of appetite, troubles swallowing or chewing, dry mouth, fatigue, shortness of breath, changes in taste and smell, and fullness after consuming small amounts—associated with their cancer or due to cancer treatment that can be improved by incorporating these simple dietary changes: 1. Prepare cold meals Often, patients with NSCLC experience nausea and indigestion due to the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation (when the treatment area is near the chest or stomach). However, nausea and lack of appetite can be decreased if meals are prepared cold or at room temperature, rather than warm or hot. This is because cooler meals not only give off less offensive odors, they are also more easily digested.