Managing nutrition for patients undergoing investigations for suspected lung cancer

Introduction

We are inviting patients to undertake some pre-treatment actions whilst undergoing investigations for lung cancer. The medical team will assess you as part of your appointment and with the support and advice of your Clinical Nurse Specialist these actions will help you to improve your health and fitness levels prior to any treatment that you may require.

Eating well and keeping to a healthy weight will help you keep up your strength, increase your energy levels and improve your sense of well-being.

For more information please contact:

• Lung Cancer Specialist Nurses
• Addenbrooke’s Team: 01223 217541
• Papworth Team: 01223 638322
• Other Team: _________________________

The benefits of good diet and nutrition

We eat food for energy, protein and the vitamins and minerals our bodies need to stay healthy both mentally and physically - so it’s really important to try to eat a varied and nourishing diet.

It is especially important that your diet/nutrition is optimised before any treatment you may receive, as this will aid your recovery and maximise how you cope during treatments and with investigations.

The goal during treatment is to maintain your weight. The benefits of maintaining your weight include:

• Feeling stronger and having more energy.
• Coping with the side effects of treatment.
• Recovering more quickly from treatments and fighting off infections.
• Reducing the risk of hospital admission due to malnutrition and/or dehydration.

Why have I lost weight?

Many people with respiratory conditions or cancers find that they lose weight without perhaps wanting to.

There are lots of reasons for weight loss: poor appetite, feeling sick or full, taste changes, or your body’s need for more energy/calories due to underlying health conditions.

Conditions such as lung cancer can make your body use up more energy even if you are eating enough food and are not particularly active.

You may benefit from prescribed oral nutritional supplements and your Nurse Specialist will organise a referral to the Dietician if required. The type of product you require will take into account your current health condition and any pre-existing health conditions.

Top tips

In addition to trying smaller meals 3 times a day - encourage high energy and protein-rich food choices e.g. full fat milk instead of semi-skimmed, mix grated cheese or cream into foods such as mashed potato and soups.

Keep high-energy snacks within easy reach. Cheese and crackers, biscuits, cakes, nuts, crisps, dried fruit, peanut butter on toast and creamy yoghurts are a good way to get extra calories and protein throughout the day.

Little and often approach, try smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.

Have nourishing drinks in-between meals other than tea, coffee and water, for example hot chocolate, Horlicks and Ovaltine.

If you are diabetic, choose high protein lower sugar options initially and further advice can be provided by your dietician and diabetes nurse specialist.

Avoid drinking too much fluid before or with meals.

How can I try to prevent further weight loss?

Please discuss any concerns you have with your Lung Cancer Specialist Nurse who can give you specific advice/information depending on your individual concern. If you have any underlying conditions such as diabetes or renal problems etc, you may need more specialist advice.

Over the counter oral nutritional supplements can be beneficial and your Nurse Specialist can advise on these.

Useful resources

• Macmillan - ‘Building up Diet’ booklet.
• Macmillan- ‘Healthy Eating and Cancer’ booklet.
• Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation – ‘Living with Lung Cancer’ booklet – Practical Tips for Eating Chapter.
• BDA-British Dietetic association website (opens in a new tab)

Please ask your Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist Nurse (contact details above) for more detailed information.

With thanks to the Lung Cancer Nurse Specialists, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Department © June 2020. All rights reserved.

Medication

Bring all of your medicines (including inhalers, injections, creams, eye drops or patches) and a current repeat prescription from your GP.

Please tell the ward staff about all of the medicines you use. During your stay If you wish to take your medication yourself (self-medicate) please speak with your nurse. Pharmacists visit the wards regularly and can help with any medicine queries.

My Chart

We would encourage you to sign up for MyChart. This is the electronic patient portal at Cambridge University Hospitals that enables patients to securely access parts of their health record held within the hospital’s electronic patient record system (Epic). It is available via your home computer or mobile device

More information is available on the MyChart section on our website.