Are
There Any Side Effects?
Patients often experience few or no side affects from radiation therapy
and are able to continue their normal routines. Be sure to talk to your treatment
team about any problems you experience managing side effects.
Try small, frequent feedings instead of three
large meals. Eat and drink slowly.
Eat dry foods (toast, crackers) before rising in
the morning.
Avoid fatty, greasy, or fried foods. Avoid overly
sweet or spicy foods.
Clear, cool beverages are recommended. Sip liquids
slowly through a straw.
Avoid liquids at meal times. Take them 30 to 60
minutes before or after eating.
Don’t lie flat for at least two hours after
eating.
If smells make you nauseated, have someone else
do the cooking or use foods that don’t have
to be cooked. Avoid foods with strong odors.
Eat foods cold or at room temperature.
Avoid eating in a room that is stuffy or too warm.
Don’t force yourself to eat a favorite food
when you feel nauseated.
Wear loose-fitting clothes.
DIARRHEA
Use refined-grain products (white bread and rice)
in place of whole-grain products (oat, whole wheat,
bran).
Avoid vegetables or fruits with skins, hulls, or
seeds. All vegetables should be cooked and without
seeds. Avoid gas-forming foods like broccoli, cauliflower,
and cabbage.
Include foods high in potassium such as bananas,
potatoes, orange juice, or meat.
Drink lots of uncaffeinated liquids to replenish
lost fluids. Liquids should be at room temperature.
Use low-lactose products if milk causes diarrhea.
Avoid caffeine.
Avoid highly spiced, greasy, fatty, or fried foods.
Tell your doctor if diarrhea persists.
CONSTIPATION
Add more fiber and fluid to your diet. Use whole-grain
breads and cereals (whole-wheat bread, oatmeal) in
place of refined-grain products (white bread, pasta,
and rice).
Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. You
should strive for five to eight servings a day.
Try adding bran to cooked cereals
and casseroles. Bran can also be eaten as a cereal.
Snack on dried fruits.
Drink plenty of uncaffeinated fluids (8 to 10 full
glasses each day). Prune juice is a good choice since
it has a laxative effect.
Hot liquids often stimulate bowel activity and
may be helpful.
DIFFICULTY
SWALLOWING OR SORE MOUTH
Foods that are liquid or soft are the best choice
when soreness develops in the mouth or throat.
Very cold foods are often soothing. Add ice to
milk and milkshakes.
Fruit drinks and nectars can be substituted for
acidic fruit juices (orange, grapefruit, tomato)
to avoid burning.
Drink small amounts of high-calorie supplements
frequently. Try double-strength milk (8 oz. whole
milk and 5 tbsp non-fat dry milk), eggnogs, milkshakes,
and powered instant breakfast mixed with whole milk.
Use a blender or food processor to puree your foods.
Cut food into small pieces and moisten with soups,
thin gravies, butter, or sauces.
LOSS
OF APPETITE
Eat small, frequent meals and keep snacks handy
for nibbling.
Make the foods you eat count by using high-calorie,
high-protein items. Try high-calorie milkshakes and
supplements or eggnog instead of noncaloric beverages
(water, diet soda, coffee, tea).
Make your meals attractive. Eat in a calm, pleasant
atmosphere, with others, if possible. Listen to relaxing
music while eating. Add variety to your meals.
Avoid foods that will cause feelings of fullness
(carbonated beverages and fatty foods).
Engage in light or moderate exercise two hours
before meals. Check with your doctor first.
CHANGE
IN TASTE
Use herbs and spices to make food more flavorful
(basil, oregano, rosemary, tarragon, lemon).
Try adding bacon or ham to vegetables.
Try cooked chicken, turkey, or fish if red meat
tastes strange. Use eggs and dairy products as substitutes.
Marinate meat, chicken, or fish in sweet fruit
juices, flavorful salad dressings, or sweet-and-sour
sauce.
Tart foods (oranges and lemons) may enhance flavor
(if you have no mouth or throat problems).
Serve foods cold or at room temperature for improved
taste.
Try eating foods that leave their own taste in
your mouth, such as fresh fruit or hard candies.
Ask your dentist about special mouthwashes and
good mouth care.
Avoid smells from cooking if possible.
Maximize other food characteristics such as color
and texture.
Avoid cooking in metal pots.
Chew sugar-free mints to disguise unpleasant tastes.
Most side effects are related to the area being treated.
For example a breast cancer patient may notice skin
irritation, like a mild to moderate sunburn. Patients
with cancer in the mouth may have soreness when swallowing.
These side effects are usually temporary.
Side effects usually begin during the second or third
week of treatment, and may last for several weeks after
your final treatment.
Fatigue, which is usually mild to moderate, is the most often reported side effect. During the course
of Radiation Therapy it is important that you eat a
well-balanced diet and plan for adequate rest. In many
cases, daily activity does not have to
be restricted, and many patients continue to work full
time during radiation therapy.
The content of the Turville Bay
MRI and Radiation Oncology Center website is intended to educate the
reader and provide information. The content is not intended to be, nor
should it be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment.
If you need medical advice or other
health care assistance, you should always consult with a qualified
health care provider. You should never disregard professional medical
advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read on the site.
