Because good nutrition may become compromised during cancer treatment. In some cases the disease itself interferes with eating-like gastrointestinal tumors. In other instances, the treatment program may decrease the patient's appetite, induce nausea or cause temporary toxicity. During treatment for cancer, patients often feel powerless-their physicians, for instance, regulate many important aspects of their care, like chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
Nutrition is one area where the patient can take control.
Nutrition Counseling provides the support and services patients need to play an active role in helping their body heal. That's why all patients who are seen at Lombardi have access to nutritional counseling. Patients can request these services at any time, or they may be referred by a multi-disciplinary team who reviews patient nutritional status and screens those at nutritional risk. Individual counseling to help determine what foods are most beneficial and provide optimum nutritional during various cancer treatments is available. Plus, our professional staff makes an effort to educate both patient and family members about a diet that will sustain the patient's optimum nutritional status throughout treatment.