Author: OncoLink Team
Content Contributor: Doris Piccinin, MS, RD, CDE, LDN
Last Reviewed: August 16, 2023
As a person becomes sick, they may not eat as much. This can be hard for a loved one to watch and understand. Food may harm rather than help at this stage. Your loved one is not suffering from a lack of nutrition. Their body is changing and does not need as many calories as someone who is active and healthy. At this time, your loved one produces something called “ketones” that can lead to euphoria and comfort.
Forcing foods and fluids will not enhance or prolong life. It can be harmful to push foods and can be stressful to both you and your loved one.
What should the patient do?
- Eat when you have the most energy in the day.
- Eat small snacks throughout the day to keep your energy up.
- Choose high-calorie foods including those with high protein and fat content. These can include high-fat dairy products, oral nutrition supplements, crackers and cheese or peanut butter.
- Don’t fill up on vegetables or salads because they do not provide many calories or protein.
What should the caregiver do?
- Take your cue from the patient. Rather than forcing your loved one to eat, offer their favorite foods when they are most alert and awake.
- Support your loved one by suggesting bland, soft moist comfort foods that are easy to digest such as cream-based soups, yogurts, puddings, hot cereals, mac and cheese, ground meats with mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Encourage sips of water or juices. Moist fruits such as watermelon are soothing and can be helpful to keep the mouth wet.
Why is it important not to overfeed?
The gut slows down making it difficult to swallow or breakdown foods.
- Forcing food can cause bloating, nausea, cramping and congestion.
- It can be uncomfortable for the patient if the esophagus is slowing down. Food may become stuck which may lead to a heavy feeling on the chest.
Keep in mind that at the end of life, the kidneys do not work as well and start to shut down. The body is not able to produce as much urine and the body starts to hold onto extra fluid, which can back up into the lungs and the legs/arms. Offering more than 1 quart of fluid can lead to swelling or fluid in the lung.
Some patients have trouble swallowing (dysphagia). Trouble swallowing and a weakening of the lungs can lead to food getting caught in the lungs. This can cause choking and aspiration pneumonia.
Changes at the end of life can be challenging for all of those involved. By not forcing food your loved one will be more comfortable. If you have any concerns you can always ask to speak to a registered dietitian or the medical team.
FAQs
“We also recommend eating some lean animal protein, such as chicken, fish and turkey as well as plant-based proteins like beans, lentils and tofu,” says Ebrus. “Protein helps you keep your muscle during cancer treatment, a time when you're at an increased risk for losing muscle.”
What to eat when you have stage 4 cancer? ›
When you have cancer, you may need extra protein and calories. At times, your diet may need to include extra meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and plant-based proteins. If you have trouble chewing and swallowing, you may need to add sauces and gravies. Sometimes, you may need to eat low-fiber foods instead of high-fiber ones.
What kills cancer cells in the body? ›
The T cells see cancer as “foreign” cells that don't belong in the body. The T cells attack and try to destroy the cancerous cells. When the cancer cells are killed, a “checkpoint” in the immune system stops the T cells from attacking. This protects healthy cells.
Can you beat advanced cancer? ›
For some people, advanced cancer can be managed as a chronic illness. With this approach, the cancer and symptoms can be controlled for a long period of time with cancer therapy. Palliative care can be provided at the same time to control symptoms of the cancer and the treatment.
What is the super food for cancer patients? ›
Some of the best foods to eat during chemotherapy or other cancer treatments are plant-based proteins. They offer the highest levels of vitamins and minerals, Rajagopal says. This means eating lots of vegetables as well as beans, legumes, nuts and seeds.
What is the number one cancer fighting food? ›
"Cancer-fighting foods"
The list is usually topped with berries, broccoli, tomatoes, walnuts, grapes and other vegetables, fruits and nuts. "If you look at the typical foods that reduce cancer risk, it's pretty much all plant foods that contain phytochemicals," says Wohlford.
What starves cancer cells? ›
Ketones become the energy to cells in the body. Early (preclinical) studies showed that some cancer cells can't use ketones as energy. So, changing the diet to be high in fat and low in carbohydrate will lower glucose levels and starve cancer cells. Normal body cells adapt and can use ketones to survive.
What stops cancer cells from growing? ›
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Tyrosine kinases help to send growth signals in cells, so blocking them stops the cell growing and dividing. Cancer growth blockers can block one type of tyrosine kinase or more than one type. TKIs that block more than one type of tyrosine kinase are called multi TKIs.
How can I prolong my life with Stage 4 cancer? ›
Tips for Living a Longer, Fuller Life With Cancer
- Eat Smart.
- Exercise.
- Keep a Healthy Weight.
- Connect With Friends and Family.
- Do Things You Love.
- Stop Smoking.
- Limit Alcohol.
- Keep Your Appointments.
Summary: Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a compound that has been shown to cause tumor cell death and reduce tumor size in test-tube and animal studies. A greater intake of cruciferous vegetables may also be associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer.
Foods for Cancer Patients to Avoid
- Unpasteurized juice, cider, milk, yogurt or backyard eggs.
- Refrigerated duck, chicken liver or other meat pate, since the organs used are not always cooked through and may harbor campylobacter or other bacteria.
How to boost your immune system
- Eat healthy. Like any engine, your body relies on the fuel you give it. ...
- Get exercise. There's no getting away from this basic truth. ...
- Aim for good sleep. Don't underestimate the power of rest. ...
- Eliminate tobacco and avoid alcohol. ...
- Reduce stress.
A cancer's stage can also help a medical team decide on a course of treatment and determine how successful a certain treatment might be. For example, an early stage cancer might respond best to surgery and radiation, while a stage 4 cancer might respond better to chemotherapy or targeted therapy.
Can advanced cancer go into remission? ›
That depends on the type of cancer. Thanks to newer cancer treatments, some but not all advanced cancers (Stage IV cancer) may go into partial or complete remission. If you have a form of advanced cancer, ask your oncologist what you can expect.
What is the new cancer breakthrough in 2024? ›
The FDA granted approval for trastuzumab-strf, a biosimilar of trastuzumab, on April 26, 2024, as an adjuvant treatment for HER2-overexpressing breast cancer, as well as for the treatment of patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer and HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal ...
What foods help end stage cancer? ›
Plan meals to include a protein food, for example: eggs or baked beans at breakfast, tinned fish or cheese at lunch and meat or chicken at dinner time. Make sure they are soft enough for you to eat easily. 2. Add some carbohydrate food like pasta, bread, potato, sweet potato or rice.
What helps cancer patients live longer? ›
If you can, have a consistent daily routine. Make time each day for exercising, getting enough sleep and eating meals. Exercise and participating in activities that you enjoy also may help. People who get exercise during treatment not only deal better with side effects but also may live longer.
