Nutrition Education Program for Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy

Weight loss is common among cancer patients, and can be attributed to many causes, including mucositis, inability to ingest or absorb adequate calories because of a problem with the alimentary tract, loss of appetite, and metabolic aberrations. Unintentional weight loss may be associated with decreased quality of life (QOL) and a poorer prognosis. Furthermore, for patients who are already in a catabolic state, the increased metabolic demands associated with anticancer treatment (particularly surgery) further worsen the problem. The novel nutrition program might improve the nutrition status and QOL in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.