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vegetarian diet for pre prostate cancer treatment

Digitalis
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  • 41 subscribers
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My husband needs to followa FODMAP style eating plan for the  several weeks before and during his radiotheapry treatment for prostae cancer.

We were given a list of foods he could and couldn't eat, but it took No real  account of vegetarians, saying the protein  aspect could be solved by cheese, eggs, tufu or quorn. or TVP.

WE Don't eat tofu,quorn or TVP, and we have to limit our consumption of eggs and cheese due to high cholesterol.

When I asked a nurse at the hospital he is being treated, I was just told to Google for more info.

I Have doenthos and keep going roind in circle,s as All the sites suggest the things we Don't or Can't now eat.

I am concerned the diet will Not be good/healthy for him in the long run.

As yet,we have No deas When the treatment will start, or How long he will be required to be on thei diet.

Any suggestions?

  • Dear Digitalis

    Thank you so much for reaching out for information and support to us here at Macmillan Cancer Support.  My name is Rae and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialist.

    It does sound like you have a lot going on in regards to the dietary aspect of your husband’s radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer.

    The information that Prostate Cancer UK has about dietary changes says:

    Some foods can make your rectum bigger or fill it up with gas. There are changes you can make to your diet to stop this.

    • Reduce the fibre in your diet − but make sure you don’t cut it completely as it can make you constipated.
    • Cut down food and drink that make you gassy. These include fizzy drinks, beans and pulses, spicy foods, and green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and sprouts.

    There are recipe’s and information for following a vegan low fodmap style of eating on the internet such as these.   

    It may be advisable to ask for a dietician referral so that you can receive tailored advice regarding foods that your husband can eat.  You can speak to your husband’s cancer team or to ask for the referral.

    I can also see that you were asking the online community about stress management and strategies that you can implement to ‘de-stress’ yourself.

    Caring for your husband through his cancer diagnosis and treatment can be very rewarding, but also very challenging.  I am glad that you reached out to talk about your emotions and who can support you. 

    You are welcome to speak to us here on the support line.  We also have our emotional support forum.  I can see that Mike (Thehighander) also let you know about some of the other ways that you can reach out for support, Local Macmillan Support in your area and a local Maggie’s Centre.  There is also the Cancer Care Map where you can find support.  There are other ways to help with stress too.

    Best wishes

     

    Rae, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

     

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

     

    Ref/TT

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