Mouth Cancer - best foods and lifestyle post-treatment?

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Hi, I just want to ask since I'm now Cancer-free, which foods should I eat? What lifestyle should I have? My doctors didn't say anything about avoiding certain foods. I'm wondering if I can get some info here.

Thank you!

  • Hi Online Hope,

    I am Sharon, one of the nurses on the Macmillan Cancer Support Line.

    I am glad you have been told you are cancer-free, that must be a relief. Your wish to look at your future lifestyle and diet is understandable. Making small changes can help physically, but also emotionally as they can give you back a sense of control. I can’t give you specific information as I don’t have access to your health records, but I can certainly point you in the right direction of where you can find some relevant information.

    Current recommendations for someone with a previous cancer diagnosis are to maintain a healthy weight, stay physically active, reduce alcohol consumption, and follow a healthy balanced diet, rather than cut out specific foods. Studies continue to be carried out and research is constantly being updated.

    Keeping physically active will improve your fitness level, help you maintain a healthy weight, increase your confidence, and improve your mental health and general sense of well-being. When combined with a healthy, balanced diet, it is recognised to reduce the risk of recurrence of some cancer types.

    We have tips for a healthy balanced diet on our website and a page on ‘common questions about diet’ that you may find useful.

    The Penny Brohn charity have resources on nutrition for people who have had cancer, with recipes and cookbooks. They also have nutritional advice via online sessions, including a online ‘nutrition café’ for a ‘question and answers’ session.

    The Royal Marsden have a Cancer Cookbook with recipes reviewed and analysed by a Consultant Dietician and they have published a couple of recipes online from The Urban Kitchen, nutritional scientist and trained oncologist.

    If you are thinking of making changes to your diet or cutting out certain foods, you should seek the advice of a dietician or your hospital team.

    Studies on diet in cancer are complex to analyse as nutrition is only one of many factors contributing to our health. You may find it useful to look at the Royal Marsden’s latest evidence about individual food items.

    I hope this information is helpful. We are here on the phone or webchat if you need us.

     Take care,

     Sharon Ayres

    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; SA/GMcR