Diet and RT

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I'm sorry to ask a question which has been covered before.  My husband is due to start RT on 7th March, 20 sessions.  Contributors to this site have mentioned the importance of diet.  When we mentioned this we were told it is not important, no special diet necessary.  We left the hospital with a box of enemas, and very little advice.  I have to say we felt a little bit 'cast adrift'.  The unit is very new, with up to date equipment.  It may be that targeting is better and diet is unnecessary.  Does anyone have an experience of this lately?  What foods/drink are best avoided?  

Take care everyone x

  • Hello Zander. The dietary advice I got before my 6 weeks of R. T. was to replace caffeine with decaffeinated tea and coffee. Fortunately I was already doing this. They advised limiting alcohol and to avoid spicy foods. Avoid fizzy drinks was advised as well as drinking 8 glasses of water per day to keep well hydrated. The radiologist suggested small easily digestable meals with little snacks in between to try to keep bowels regular and to avoid food that make you feel bloated or gives you excessive wind.

    Best wishes to you and your husband. Graham. 

  • As well as the excellent advice given by BoroG, cranberry juice (the real stuff, Frobishers do a nice one) can be helpful if the bladder becomes irritated. 

    • Hello ZanderW

    When I started RT I asked the department for dietary advise and the gave me a list of food/drinks I should/could eat and food to avoid.

    John 1963

  • Hi Zander 

    Bowel issues are a common problem when receiving Radiotherapy for PC.

    I had severe constipation , medication was only partially helpful, so yes diet is quite important.

    Smallish meals, easily digestible will help 

    That was my main issue but tolerable for a few weeks.

    Good luck 

    Steve

  • Hi

    I'm astonished the RT team said diet isn't important. From personal experience it most definitely is.

    In addition to what others said the diet sheet advised to stay clear of green leafy veg, pulses and high fiber anything. So any sort of bean is out and white bread pasta etc. Basically anything that will irritate the bowel should be avoided.

    The only time I had problems was when I didn't follow the dietary advice.

    Hope this helps!

    Regards

    Stuart

    Trying to get fit again!
  • Thanks everyone for advice.  We will definitely go down the route of low fibre, caffeine free meals.  Although we are in agreement with the treatment plan HR for possibly 3 years and 20sessions of RT it feels as we are being swept along.  Being in control of something ie diet will make us feel we are at least being involved.  So far we have been impressed with the efficiency of the NHS but are not really feeling any empathy or compassion.  I'm sure this is just because most consultations have been by phone, or behind masks, really difficult to judge what people are thinking.  

  • Hi Zander

    I was diagnosed in September 2019 and started RT in the December - so pre lockdown. All consultations etc were conducted face to face. But I also felt that I was being swept along and didn't, on the whole, feel that the NHS displayed much compassion or understanding. The exception were the Cancer Nurse Specialists who were brilliant and had as much time as was needed.

    Going back to the diet sheet ( which I had to ask for after talking to others in the waiting area) let me know if you have trouble getting one and I may be able to send a copy of mine.

    Regards

    Stu

    Trying to get fit again!
  • Thanks Stu, will ask again when we go on Monday.  I may get back to you if there is nothing forthcoming.

    Z

  • Hi, 3rd day of RT and all going well so far.  Eventually managed to get a diet sheet from a patient undergoing treatment in a different area.  

    Masks make such a difference don't they.  Normally you would smile at someone, they would smile back, and a conversation would begin.  Now, emotion is hidden, and we sit in suitably distanced silence!

    Best wishes to everyone.

  • Hi Zander.

    I went for 37 sessions when covid restrictions were more strict but a few of us spoke to each other all the time with newbies joining in throughout my 37 days. We lowered our masks to drink and then u get a glimpse of people's faces. Start talking to people and they will reply then someone else will join in.

    Talking about each others treatment is a good thing and beneficial to Yr well being. I made some friends while I was there.

    Try it and you'll feel better and time will go quicker.

    Good luck bud 

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