Nutrition and Lifestyle for Mesothelioma Patients

Nutrition and lifestyle for mesothelioma patients change after being diagnosed with this aggressive cancer. Improved nutrition, exercise when possible, and other positive lifestyle changes can help patients feel better as they go through difficult treatments.

FREE Mesothelioma Packet

Listen to Your Physician

First and foremost, heed the advice of your doctor. If you have been prescribed specific dietary guidelines (such as a low-fat diet or a low-sodium diet), that should be your primary consideration. The same goes for physical activity. If your doctor has prescribed rest, then rest.

Listen to Your Body

If you are disgusted by hot foods or can’t stand to eat in the evening, listen to your body. There is nothing wrong with choosing cold foods or eating only when you are hungry.

Many people undergoing cancer treatment prefer to eat more food earlier in the day and less at night. It’s better to listen to your body than to force yourself to eat when you don’t feel well.

Try Smaller Meals and Eat More Frequently

Three balanced meals per day are great for most people — but it doesn’t work for everyone, and it may not work for you during treatment if you find your appetite decreased (or even obliterated).

If you would rather “graze” throughout the day or eat several smaller meals more often, that’s fine — do what you have to do to get food in and keep it there.[1]

Keep Your Fiber Content High

If your treatment causes digestive problems like constipation, you should eat more fiber. Plant-based foods like oatmeal, bran, vegetables, and fruits all contain fiber and tend to have a mild or pleasant flavor — ideal for someone who may be nauseous due to chemotherapy.

It’s Okay to Avoid Foods that Make You Feel Ill

Many cancer treatments affect smell and taste, and nausea is a frequent side effect of chemotherapy. If the smell of eggs nauseates you, don’t feel bad. It is normal to dislike some foods during cancer treatment.

If avoiding those foods keeps you from anorexia (loss of appetite) or vomiting, then don’t eat them. Stick with foods that are appealing and nutritious, and avoid foods that make you ill.

More Solids, Fewer Liquids at Mealtime

If you have trouble eating enough nourishing food or keeping it down, it’s important to make mealtimes count by filling up with wholesome foods and drinking fewer liquids.

It’s nice to have a glass of water to wash down a meal, but if you fill up on water and don’t have room left for dinner, you should drink fewer liquids and eat more solids.

Nutritional Needs

When you are recovering from a mesothelioma treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, your body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients may change. Do everything you can to maintain a healthy weight and meet your nutritional needs to avoid losing muscle mass.

These goals may be difficult if your appetite shrinks or you have difficulty swallowing. A registered dietitian can help you understand the symptoms that interfere with your goals and how to get around them.[1]

Work with a Dietician

Your medical team may include a dietician. If not, they can recommend one. Dieticians work with cancer patients to prescribe specific diets. They can help you decide what’s best to eat and troubleshoot problems, like not eating enough, inadequate protein, or specific deficiencies.

Diet and the Side Effects of Treatment

Treatments for mesothelioma can cause side effects that make you uncomfortable or hurt. Side effects may even affect your appetite or your ability to absorb nutrients. A balanced diet following the above guidelines will help, but specific diet tweaks may counteract certain side effects:[1]

• Dry mouth and dehydration: Eat foods that are nutritious and have high water content, like milkshakes, fruit, and gelatin. Avoid salty and dry foods.
• Diarrhea: Avoid foods and ingredients that exacerbate diarrhea, like spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, fatty and fried foods, and raw vegetables.
• Constipation: Increase your fiber intake with foods like bananas, whole grains, greens, and take fiber supplements. Drink plenty of fluids.
• Loss of appetite: To get all the nutrition you need despite your loss of appetite, try nutritional shakes. Eat smaller meals more often, and eat foods that you do find appetizing, especially calorie dense foods like nuts.
• Mouth sores: Avoid foods that irritate your mouth, like spicy and salty foods. Opt for blander, softer foods. Mashed vegetables, smoothies, and milkshakes are good choices.
• Nausea and vomiting: Avoid any food that makes you feel nauseated, usually strong-smelling foods; instead, try bland, plain foods like plain toast, rice, or pasta.

Supplement and Vitamins

Nutritional supplements such as high-calorie or high protein beverages may be beneficial.[2] Though many patients are interested in vitamin and mineral supplements, physician opinions differ on their usefulness. Some may be too strong for your system or may affect your treatment.

Do not take any vitamins or minerals without first asking your doctor. They may prefer a specific supplement to address a particular deficiency. Remember that food is generally a better source of vitamins than pills.

Exercise and Activity

Moving around during and after cancer treatment is beneficial if you can. Maintaining your physical abilities will help you feel better while keeping bones and muscles strong. Regular exercise can improve your balance and keep your muscles from becoming weak.

Exercise also contributes to your overall health, keeping your heart and lungs strong and improving your circulation. Getting up and moving around gives you a better sense of well-being and improves your quality of life. It will make you feel less dependent upon others and give you more energy.

Before you embark upon any exercise program, check with your physician. Remember to start slowly, as treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy may have diminished your ability more than you realize, or muscles may have been cut during surgery.

Fatigue from Cancer Treatment

Both chemotherapy and radiation tire you out. This can make you resistant to exercise since you feel you need to rest. Unfortunately, this type of fatigue will not improve with rest and can jeopardize the health of your muscles and bones.

One of the best ways to get over this symptom is through a routine of aerobic exercise. Getting out into fresh air and exercising at light-to-moderate intensity will likely help you feel much better.[3]

Stress and Relaxation

Besides taking care of your physical health, your lifestyle choices after a mesothelioma diagnosis should support good mental and emotional health.

Surround yourself with a positive support system, including friends and family as well as other cancer patients in support groups.

Try relaxation techniques to maintain good mental health, such as yoga, meditation, or any other activities you find relaxing, including reading or listening to your favorite music.[4]

Lifestyle choices may not cure cancer, but they make a big difference. Avoid smoking, drinking, overworking, or socializing too much; instead, make positive choices that will help your body heal, like a good diet, good nutrition, exercise, social support, and relaxation techniques. These will help you feel better as your treatment works to beat cancer.

Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Anne Courtney, AOCNP, DNP

Anne Courtney has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and is an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner. She has years of oncology experience working with patients with malignant mesothelioma, as well as other types of cancer. Dr. Courtney currently works at University of Texas LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes.

Connect with Doctor of Nursing Practice Anne Courtney