At Dana-Farber, our nutritionists are not just experts in their field; they are specially trained in both oncology and nutrition to support you through every stage of your cancer treatment. Our experienced registered dietitians are here to help you achieve your optimal nutrition goals, tailored specifically to your needs and preferences.
How We Can Help You
We offer individualized nutrition counseling designed just for you. Whether you're interested in learning about planning healthy meals, managing treatment side effects with food, or staying updated on the latest research in cancer and nutrition, we're here to assist. Plus, you can explore our online nutrition resources, including answers to frequently asked questions about nutrition and oncology.
Scheduling an Appointment
If you're a Dana-Farber patient, you can schedule an appointment with our Nutrition Services team by calling 617-632-3006. Alternatively, you can ask your Dana-Farber care team to place a referral for you.
Why Nutrition Matters in Cancer Care
Nutrition is a crucial part of your cancer care journey. Treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and surgery can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, taste changes, or loss of appetite. These side effects can make it challenging to get the nutrients you need to stay strong and support your immune system. The good news is that the right foods can help manage these side effects, maintain a healthy weight, and improve your overall quality of life.
Benefits of Personalized Nutrition Counseling
When you and your caregivers meet with a Dana-Farber dietitian, we'll work with you to develop strategies that meet your unique needs. This includes ensuring you get enough calories, protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients— natural compounds in plant-based foods that offer many health benefits. These elements can help you navigate your cancer treatment more successfully.
Different treatments affect each body in unique ways, and we have strategies to help you cope with each side effect. We'll also provide tips to ensure you get enough calories and protein to maintain a healthy weight, repair damaged tissues, and support new cell growth. Good nutrition can reduce the risk of infection, improve wound healing, and enhance your overall quality of life.
Nutrition Guidance for Every Stage of Cancer Care
We can support you at any stage of your cancer treatment:
Before Treatment: Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can prepare your body for treatment and support your immune system.
During Treatment: Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. Eating small, frequent meals and staying hydrated can help manage these issues. Avoiding spicy, fatty, and fried foods can reduce digestive problems, while protein-rich foods like lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and legumes can support tissue repair and growth.
After Treatment: Your body may need extra nutrients to heal and recover. Cancer survivors often have unique nutritional needs based on their type of cancer, treatment, and other factors. Continuing to eat a well-balanced diet is crucial as your body heals and recovers.
No matter where you are in your cancer treatment journey, we're here to help.
The Value of Working With a Registered Dietitian
“RDN” stands for Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. Our Nutrition team at Dana-Farber consists of registered dietitians/nutritionists (RDNs) who are certified through rigorous education, internships, and continuing education. Each dietitian also brings unique expertise beyond cancer. Topics we support include exercise, dietary supplements, sleep patterns, various diets, diabetes, GI challenges, and more. By focusing on cancer, we ensure you receive the latest evidence-based advice and information. Our years of experience mean we address all aspects of your health during each phase of your cancer care and beyond.
We encourage you to ask a member of your Dana-Farber care team to arrange an appointment with one of our registered dietitians/nutritionists. We're here to guide and support you through your cancer journey.
