Cancer Nutrition: Nourishing Your Body, Empowering Your Journey
Ensuring proper nutrition is a critical component of cancer treatment for patients at any stage of the disease. A balanced diet can help ease side effects of treatment, promote healthy weight management, and optimise treatment outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to prioritise good nutrition to support overall health and well-being throughout the cancer journey.
Prevention
Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing cancer.
An Accredited Practising Dietitian can help by identifying potential risk factors and provide strategies to minimise them, as well as develop an nutrition plan tailored to your cultural and dietary preferences.
During Treatment
Proper nutrition during cancer treatment is crucial to help maintain energy levels, support the immune system, and minimize treatment side effects.
An Accredited Practising Dietitian can provide guidance on how to meet nutritional needs during treatment.
Pre-Treatment
Eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight before cancer treatment helps prepare the body for the physical stress of treatment.
Work with an Accredited Practising Dietitian to determine individualised nutrition needs.
Recovery & Survivorship
Continue consuming a healthy diet and staying physically active to promote healing and well-being.
Follow-up appointments with your dietitian can monitor ongoing nutrition needs or concerns.
How Can Nutrition Support Cancer Care?
Extensive research has shown that people who are well-nourished and meet their nutrient targets tolerate cancer treatment better and achieve better health outcomes. Dietitians provide personalised diet advice based on your cancer diagnosis, treatment, medical history and nutrition goals. We aim to optimise your quality of life by empowering you to maintain independence with
nutrition.
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Maintaining a healthy weight: Eating a balanced diet can help cancer patients maintain a healthy weight during treatment. Weight loss is a common side effect of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which can lead to fatigue, weakness, and other complications.
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Managing side effects: Certain foods and supplements can help alleviate common side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. For example, ginger can help ease nausea, while probiotics can promote healthy digestion.
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Supporting the immune system: A healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help support the immune system, which is especially important for cancer patients who may be more susceptible to infections.
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Building strength and energy: Cancer treatment can be exhausting, but a healthy diet can help patients build strength and energy to better cope with the physical demands of treatment.
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Reducing inflammation: Inflammation can contribute to the growth and spread of cancer cells. Eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce inflammation in the body.
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Working with a dietitian: Cancer patients may benefit from working with an accredited practising dietitian who specialises in oncology. These professionals can help patients create a personalized nutrition plan based on their specific needs and treatment plan.
We work with patients with all types of cancer, including:
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Bladder cancer
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Bowel cancer
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Brain cancer
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Breast cancer
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Breast cancer
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Cervical cancer
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Endometrial cancer
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Gynaecological cancers
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Head and neck cancer
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Kidney cancer
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Leukaemia
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Liver cancer
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Lung cancer
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Lymphoma
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Melanoma of the skin
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Mesothelioma cancer
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Myeloma
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Neuroendocrine tumours
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Oesophageal cancer
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Ovarian cancer
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Pancreatic cancer
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Prostate cancer
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Sarcoma
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Stomach cancer
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Testicular cancer
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Thyroid cancer
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Unknown primary
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Uterine sarcoma
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Vaginal cancer
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Vulval cancer
Work with Four Seasons Dietetics
Our oncology nutrition services are led by founder and leading dietitian, Claire Ho. With extensive experience working with cancer patients and completing her training at Peter MacCallum Centre, Victoria's leading cancer hospital, Claire brings a wealth of expertise to our practice. In addition to her role at Four Seasons Dietetics, Claire serves as a Clinical Dietitian at Sydney Adventist Hospital.
Having worked closely with patients at every stage of their cancer journey, including diagnosis, treatment, post-surgery, and survivorship, Claire understands the unique nutritional needs and challenges that arise. She values multidisciplinary teamwork and collaborates with your oncology team to optimise treatment outcomes and enhance quality of life.
Our oncology nutrition services are available both online and at our locations in Wahroonga and Wynyard, Sydney. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalised dietary support to individuals affected by cancer, ensuring a professional and caring approach throughout your journey.
Claire Ho
Accredited Practising Dietitian
Cancer Nutrition Support Program
Work with an oncology expert dietitian to optimise your nutrition and side effects throughout cancer treatment.
We will guide you through strategies to manage any side effects from treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone replacement therapy, pre/post surgery etc and also any change in nutrition requirements.
Develop a nutrition plan that will nourish you before, throughout and after cancer treatments.
We will also consider other aspects of your health in your plan such as diabetes, heart disease, renal disease, respiratory conditions, dysphagia etc.
