Volume: 1, 2022
1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: T016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1.T016
Published online: 26 April 2022
ICDSUPL, 1, T016 (2022)
Nutritional treatment of an oncology patient during chemotherapy – case study
Marta Kotuła1*, Joanna Kapusta-Duch1, Barbara Borczak1, Jolanta Bujok1
1 Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Food Technology, University of Agriculture in Krakow; Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
* Correspondence author: marta.kotula@urk.edu.pl
Abstract
Cancer is a genetic disease in which there is an uncontrolled growth of the body’s own cells. Nutrition during cancer is important to ensure rapid recovery and to minimize the adverse effects of cancer treatment. Proper nutrition management during cancer are a guarantee of a better health prognosis. Cancer very often affects the patient’s diet, forcing him to eliminate certain foods from the diet, which may contribute to deficiencies and weight loss. This thesis presents the issues related to cancer and chemotherapy and the principles of nutrition during this disease. The diet plan was developed for a 50-year-old woman with a body weight of 57 kg and height 170 cm. The patient was qualified according to Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 for nutritional treatment because two criteria were met: BMI <20 kg/m2 for people under 70 years of age and a weight loss of more than 5% in the last 3 months. After analyzing the clinical condition, type and malnutrition rate, and the methods of anti-cancer treatment, oral nutrition was applied. Based on the nutritional interview, no food intolerances or allergies were found. Additionally, the blood counts with a smear were performed and the level of calcium, iron, magnesium and vitamin E in the blood serum were determined and no deficiencies were found. The nutritional plan was developed in accordance with the nutritional standards of the Food and Nutrition Institute, including modifications to nutrients adapted to the existing disease. The design of the diet assumed a balanced supply of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C. Adequate nutrition is the simplest, safest and cheapest way to improve the comfort of patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy. The most important thing is to adequately meet the energy and protein requirements, due to the changes taking place in the body and reactions leading to the destruction of the body. Nutrients are equally important as they, in addition to their basic functions in the body, contribute to the fight against cancer.
How to cite
M. Kotuła, J. Kapusta-Duch, B. Borczak, J. Bujok, 2022. Nutritional treatment of an oncology patient during chemotherapy – case study. In: 1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1/T016