Cancer and Nutrition: We Are Here to Help

Oct 08, 2021

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Welcome to OncoPower Nutrition

OncoPower is excited to announce Rachel Spencer, MS, RD, CNSC as the new Director of Nutrition. Our team is thrilled to be expanding into the nutrition space, because we know so often one of the first things a newly-diagnosed cancer patient asks is “how are my food choices affecting my illness and treatment?” 

Most patients look for these answers with the help of internet searches instead of asking a health care provider, as very few doctor’s offices have nutrition professionals on staff¹.  These search results can be confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes offer conflicting advice – leading many patients to throw up their hands and put off any potentially helpful diet changes.

With the help of our convenient app, OncoPower makes getting answers to your food- and nutrition-related questions as easy as submitting a question and getting a timely response from a qualified Registered Dietitian.  Join today and get your questions answered!

What Should I Know About Cancer Nutrition Right Now?

Research shows that as of 2014, at least 18% of US cancer diagnoses and 16% of cancer-related deaths can be traced to the combination of four risk factors: body weight, physical activity, nutrition, and alcohol intake².  Recently in June of 2020, the American Cancer Society released an updated version of the Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention. These guidelines provide information on how to reduce these risk factors. Here is a summary of what they say:

1. Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight throughout life.
   • Ask your doctor what a healthy range is for you, and avoid gaining weight as you get older
     
2. Be physically active.
   • Adults should engage in 150-300 minutes of moderate activity per week, or 75-150 minutes of vigorous activity, or a combination of the two; getting over 300 minutes is better
   • Children and teens should get at least 1 hour of moderate to vigorous activity daily
   • Limit time spent sitting, lying down, and watching television or using screens
     
3. Follow a healthy eating pattern at all ages.
   • A healthy eating pattern includes:
     • Nutrient dense foods in portion sizes that are appropriate
     • A variety of vegetables—dark green, red, and orange, fiber-rich legumes (beans and peas), and others
     • Fruits, especially fresh fruits with a variety of colors
     • Whole grains
   • A healthy eating pattern limits or does not include:
     • Red and processed meats (sausage and bacon)
     • Sugar-sweetened beverages (soda)
     • Highly processed foods and refined grain products (salty snacks and bakery items)
       
4. It is best not to drink alcohol.
   • People who do choose to drink alcohol should limit themselves to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men

Though these guidelines are for cancer prevention, much of this advice applies to those already diagnosed with cancer. Reach out to OncoPower Nutrition on the app today to see how the foods you eat can affect your cancer care – we look forward to assisting you on your journey.

“In food excellent medicine can be found” – Hippocrates

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893237/pdf/JO2019-7462940.pdf
2. https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21440