Breast Cancer Nutrition Therapy at UPMC in Central Pa.

At some point during your breast cancer journey, you may experience a change in your appetite. This could be caused by the breast cancer. It could also be caused by the treatment that you are receiving for your cancer.

This is not unusual. Many people with breast cancer experience some sort of change in their appetite. Some don’t want to eat at all. Others may be turned off by certain foods. The important thing to keep in mind is that good nutrition is the key to overcoming many of the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment.

By eating well during your cancer treatment, you can:

• Keep up your strength and energy
• Maintain your weight and your body’s nutrients
• Decrease your risk of infection
• Heal and recover sooner

When you eat well you can better tolerate treatment-related side effects. You will also feel better in general.

Please note that eating well does not mean consuming a lot of food. In this case, eating well means that your diet consists of a variety of foods that provide you with the nutrients you need to stay healthy while fighting your cancer.

If you are having difficulty with appetite changes or need help adjusting your diet to stay healthy, please speak with a member of your UPMC Pinnacle Breast Care Center team. We can provide you with information and tips to help you overcome any eating challenges you may be experiencing. We can also connect you with one of UPMC's registered dieticians who can provide you with medical nutrition therapy. This is a type of nutrition counseling that can improve your quality of life and enhance your overall health.

These tip sheets and blog can help with some of the more common eating challenges that people experience during breast cancer treatment:

• Tips for Overcoming a Poor Appetite (PDF)
• What to Do When Things Don’t Taste Right (PDF)
• When Nausea Gets in the Way of Eating (PDF)
• It Hurts to Eat: Now What? (PDF)

Need more information?

Phone: 717-657-7517