Frequently Asked Questions

Cancer related questions answered by experts in the field.

Diet

Importance of Low Iodine-Diet Question If you mess up your low-iodine diet will the treatments be less effective? I am so stressed out about this diet! Answer Marcia Brose, MD, Director of Thyroid Cancer Therapeutics Program at Penn Medicine responds, Yes! So if you have messed up your diet, let your physician know immediately so that they can reschedule your treatments.
Diet After Thyroid Surgery Question What kind of diet do I need to follow if I had surgery for thyroid cancer or have a recurrence of thyroid cancer? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD, MSCE, at Penn Medicine responds, Thyroid cancer surgery does not require a specific diet. You are usually instructed to avoid foods that worsen your sore throat. If you need treatment with
Raw Diet for Pets with Cancer Question I've read that a diet free of grains may slow the cancer, is this accurate? what are the panel's thoughts on the Budwig diet or flax oil/cottage cheese combination? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM, Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer There are no clinical studies of grain free diets in dogs with cancer.
Diet Needs for Dog Being Treated for Cancer Question My dog is starting on chemo for lymphoma. Do you have suggestions for a diet that might help manage any side effects or keep him from losing weight? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer Hill's has a diet for dogs with cancer called n/d that you could discuss with your
Low Iodine Diet Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," I am about to receive radioiodine treatments and I need to follow a low iodine diet. Can you give me any direction? ThanksKB Katrina Claghorn, RD, Oncology Dietitian for The University of Pennsylvania Health System, responds: The point of a low iodine diet is to deplete
The Gerson Diet Have you heard anything about the Gerson Diet? If so, what opinion do you have regarding its success and validity? Katrina Claghorn, RD, Section Editor of OncoLink's Nutrition During Cancer Treatment and Diet and Cancer menus, responds: Dear Reader, Max Gerson, a German physician, developed the Gerson diet
Lung Cancer and Diet and Nutrition What would you recommend for a lung cancer patient, taking chemotherapy as far as diet and nutrition are concerned? Can diet and nutrition contribute to improvement? Katrina Claghorn, MS, RD, registered dietitian at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, responds: The goal during chemotherapy is
Macrobiotic Diet Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My father has metastatic colon cancer. I've been researching different types of therapy, including nutritional therapy. What is your opinion regarding macrobiotics? Is this something safe and has there been any scientific study conducted on it? Katrina Claghorn, MS, RD,
Can diet increase platelets? Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," What can you eat or do to increase the platelet count? My father has not stopped bleeding at the colostomy location. He is also diabetic. Katrina Claghorn, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, responds: There really are no particular foods that
Neutropenic Diet Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am working at a small community hospital. Our hospital does not have a uniform policy on Neutropenic diets--would you be able/willing to share what the policy is at your hospital for in-patients and how you help transition these patients to follow any neutropenic guidelines as out-patients? Ellen Sweeney
Soft Diet Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Can you give me some suggestions for ways to increase calories and nutritional values for someone who must eat a very soft or liquid diet? My brother has end stage adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sinuses which has greatly affected his ability to chew. Ellen Sweeney Cordes, RD, Registered Dietitian at
Full Liquid Diet Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My 79 year old father has had bladder cancer for 17 years. We have just been told that he will not survive until spring, and that he must be on a "full liquid diet". We want to keep him at home for as long as we can, but are having trouble finding full liquid diet suggestions. Can you
Low Iodine Diet for Vegetarians Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I saw your previous response to a low iodine diet. I will be undergoing radioiodine therapy soon and am a vegetarian. Most of my protein comes from dairy (which I won't be able to consume) and Indian lentils/dahls. Is it okay to eat dahls, for example, moong, toor, urad dahl? The packaging says that there is
Short Bowel Syndrome Diet Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I suffer from short bowel syndrome (SBS) due to extensive resection of my small intestines following damage caused by radiation therapy. I have been cancer free for the past 6 years. However, I have had a difficult time gaining weight after my initial loss of 25 pounds. I eat 5 small meals every day, or
Diet after Bowel Surgery Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I'm a survivor of anal cancer and also had to have 6-8" of small bowel removed last year because my radiation treatment really messed it up. dietitians have told me is that plenty of fruits and veggies are good. My problem is I can't digest them or lots of other foodsl, so what am I supposed to eat to
Low Iodine Diet & Mustard Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My sister is going to have radioiodine treatments and must be on the low sodium diet. My question is, can she use the spice dry mustard? Katrina Claghorn, MS, RD, Registered Dietitian at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, responds: Mustard powder or seeds are allowed. However,
Diet after treatment for ductal carcinoma of the breast Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I was diagnosed with Stage I Invasive Ductal Carcinoma 2 years ago at age 44. Chemotherapy of Adriamycin and Cytoxin followed my mastectomy. I am currently taking Tamoxifen (my cancer was estrogen positive and progesterone negative). I want to try to do everything I know to decrease my chances of recurrence. I
Diet and the prevention of colon cancer Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," What role does diet play in the prevention of colon cancer? Thanks. Katrina Claghorn, MS, RD, registered dietitian at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, responds: There has been a great deal of research on the impact of nutrition on colon cancer.
Diet to Improve Blood Counts Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My platelet and white blood counts are low and my chemo is being held until they improve. Is there anything I can eat or take (vitamins or supplements) to help increase them?Karen Wagner MS, RD, LDN, Clinical dietitian specialist for the Abramson Cancer Center, responds:This is a question that I get asked quite
Diet and Preventing Recurrence of Breast Cancer Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I take a great deal of interest in my diet and want to do what I can to prevent relapse of my breast cancer. I was treated 6 years ago. I see that you speak about weight loss, changes in bone density and info on changes that may affect weight. I am interested in understanding these dynamics, so I can make the right
Special Diet During Treatment? Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Should I follow a special diet during or after treatment to make my treatment work better or prevent cancer from coming back? Karen Wagner MS, RD, LDN, Clinical dietitian specialist for the Abramson Cancer Center, responds: Again, please do try to speak with your doctor first on any special instructions
Dietary Recommendations for Mesothelioma Question Are there any dietary recommendations or sources that you can recommend? Answer Keith Cengel, MD, Radiation Oncologist at Penn Medicine, responds: There are no specific dietary recommendations at this time, although keeping in positive nitrogen balance (i.e. keeping enough calories so that the patient either gains or maintains