Characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both of the lungs, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. Smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer, however, some people who have lung cancer have never smoked a day in their lives.  Occupational exposure to various kinds of hazardous substances, such as asbestos, for example, also increases a person’s risk of developing lung cancer.

The treatment is categorized according to whether patients have small cell or non-small cell lung cancer and according to the stage of the disease. Although survival rates for lung cancer have increased in recent years because of advances in screening and medical treatments, lung cancer patients face unique challenges as they confront arduous treatments and long-term side effects.

Because many systems in the body also rely on fast-growing cells, conventional cancer therapies, such as radiation and chemotherapy, working by killing fast-growing cancer cells, can result in collateral damage to healthy cells and tissue. When enough collateral damage builds up, lung cancer patients are faced with unwanted side effects.

How Do I Manage Lung Cancer Side Effects?

From a quality-of-life standpoint, lung cancer patients say nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, weight loss, dehydration, and fatigue are the top concerns of getting therapy. However, many of them have managed to lessen these side effects by making wise food choices and continue to live as normally as possible.

1. Eating enough protein

Protein is very important for healing your body - it is essential for building blocks of red and white blood cells, repairing damaged tissue, and maintaining immune function. Make sure you eat plenty of foods rich in protein - fish, poultry, lean red meat, eggs, whole milk, yogurt, cheese, nuts and nut butter, beans, peas, lentils, soy foods, and gelatin. Incorporate these foods into your recipes.

2. Take in a lot of calories to maintain a healthy weight

You need to stay well-nourished to help your body deal with cancer and its treatment. Because of the energy demands that cancer and its treatment put on your body, eating energy-rich foods that are high in carbohydrates will keep your body strong and help repair damage from your treatment. These include foods like muffins, bread, pasta, granola bars, ice cream, milkshakes, nuts, and nut butter, and cheese. The estimated calorie needs for a cancer patient is 15 calories per pound of weight if your weight is staying about the same during treatment. Consequently, if you weigh 160 pounds, you need 2,400 calories a day to maintain your weight.

3. Control nausea and vomiting because your body could lose a lot of fluid and nutrients

As I previously mentioned, it is important during cancer treatment to get enough calories, protein, and nutrients. This may be especially hard if you experience nausea or/and vomiting during the course of your lung cancer treatment.  Foods or drinks containing ginger, lemon, and peppermint can help reduce feelings of sickness and settle your stomach. Crackers, toast, bananas, potatoes, chicken broth and rice may be easier for your stomach to manage. The key is to find the foods that are easily tolerated and stock up on those.

4.Manage taste changes as they can affect your appetite and desire for food resulting in weight loss

While changes in how things taste may seem like a minor side effect of cancer treatment, it is important to find ways to cope because alteration in taste perception can impact your enjoyment of eating or drinking; in turn, you may not eat or drink enough for proper nutrition. During cancer treatment, some people may no longer enjoy certain foods, find that all foods taste the same, taste very sweet or salty, or notice a metallic taste in their mouth. Try eating foods that are cold or at room temperature and choose foods that do not require any cooking at all, such as cold sandwiches, crackers and cheese, yogurt and fruit, and cold cereal and milk. Oral care before eating, avoiding strong-smelling foods, eating blander foods, drinking more water with foods, and eating smaller, more frequent meals were reported to help to manage specific taste changes.

5. Eat foods that fight cancer-related fatigue

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies may all cause fatigue or weakness. You may feel very tired and lacking in energy when cancer treatment damages healthy cells in addition to the cancer cells, or fatigue might happen as your body works to repair damage caused by treatment. Keep full fat and high-calorie foods readily available. Nuts, dried fruits, eggs, olives, potatoes, cheese, and plant-based fats such as avocado or hummus are good staples to have on hand and to easily include with meals.

Your body will need extra energy to deal with the effects of lung cancer and its treatments. During this time, make sure you have a healthy diet and stay hydrated. It is critically important to talk with your health care team regularly about how you are feeling and let them know about any new side effects or changes in existing side effects, so they can find ways to relieve or manage your side effects in order to help you feel more comfortable and potentially keep any of these side effects from worsening.

About the author:

Eddie Perry is a procurement clerk at the Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., a law firm based in Birmingham, Alabama, that handles cases of occupational toxic exposure. Having experienced life-threatening illness in his extended family, he is one of the persons who really understand the consequent distress and difference in the quality of life. For Eddie, the most challenging part of his job is actually meeting the clients and their families and living heartfelt moments along with them.