By Caroline Chiimba
Breast cancer is a disease that affects millions of women and a percentage of men globally, and the role of nutrition in breast cancer treatment cannot be understated. A healthy diet can play a crucial role in supporting the body’s immune system, managing side effects of treatment, and promoting overall well-being during and after treatment.
While the Breast cancer awareness month is coming to an end, the fight against cancer continues. Ruvimbo Danda, a renowned dietitian cited that cancer treatment can negatively affect one’s health due to the side effects of therapy, adding that it is necessary for people undergoing treatment to maintain a healthy weight by eating an adequate balance of nutrients.
“Good nutrition when you have cancer is essential for maintaining your health. A healthy diet can support the immune system, manage side effects of treatment, and promote overall well-being during and after treatment. Patients should work with their healthcare team to develop a personalized nutrition plan that meets their individual needs and goals,” Ruvimbo said.
Research has shown that foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, can help to protect the body’s cells from damage and reduce inflammation, which is specifically important during treatments like chemotherapy, which can weaken the immune system and leave patients more vulnerable to infections.
Breast cancer treatments can cause nausea, fatigue, and changes in appetite. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of nutrients like protein, fiber, and healthy fats can help to alleviate these symptoms and promote healing. Moreover, staying hydrated and avoiding certain foods like spicy or greasy foods can help to reduce nausea and digestive issues.
Fungai Munyeza. a 51-year-old breast cancer survivor spotlights her journey with cancer and nutritional changes she made during treatment.
“I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and recovered in 2019. The cancer recurred in 2022 on my liver, lungs and bones and fully recovered, then it came back again on my lungs, and I just finished chemotherapy, and I am well,” the bubbly mother of four said.
“During treatment, I did make significant changes to my diet. I stopped eating white grains, too much dairy foods, sweet things, red meats and drinking beer. I was encouraged to eat white meats, loads of vegetables, traditional foods, fruits and avoid fatty foods.
“I lost weight and then my liver which was fatty became normal and I started taking a lot of fluids which I never used to, and this alone kept me on the go. The most challenging nutritional related aspect was cutting off beef from my diet, and losing appetite on literally everything after chemo because I was nauseas most of the time and I would survive on water and watermelon alone. It was bad but I later recovered fully.”
Eating a nutritious diet can help to maintain energy levels, support mental health, and promote a healthy weight. This is important not only during treatment but also in the long term, as research has shown that a healthy diet can help to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Dietitian Ruvimbo added that inadequate resources might limit food choices during treatment, thus restricting the variety of food sources available to patients.
“There are instances where food needs to be modified to suit a person’s intake. If these modifications cannot be accommodated, lack of resources becomes a challenge to families supporting people with cancer,” Ruvimbo said.
“However, family and care givers should ensure that the food consumed by the patient provides adequate energy and protein. Remember that guidelines for treatment might differ from those for prevention, depending on the patient’s condition.”
Fungai, a cancer survivor highlighted that beating cancer for her has been a team effort, adding that she could not have done it alone.
“I wouldn’t have fought without my family and friends. Awareness surrounding breast cancer is incredibly important as early detection, often through screening, can catch the disease when it is most treatable. There can be life after breast cancer. The prerequisite is early detection,” she said.
“Never be ashamed of a scar. It simply means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you. Everyone has scars—whether you can see them or not. Wear yours with pride. We need to continue to encourage women to get their yearly mammograms, to understand how to look out for their health and we need to continue to support people battling this disease.”
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, with a significant impact on both physical and emotional well-being. Nutrition plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, as research has shown that certain dietary factors can either increase or decrease the risk of developing the disease.
“Your diet and lifestyle choices generally have a role to play in breast cancer prevention. Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. Plant-based diets are healthy choices for breast cancer prevention. The fibre, antioxidants and anthocyanins found in these foods have been found to reduce your risk of cancer. If you are a seasoned meat eater, reduce your meat intake to appropriate amounts for your weight and physical activity levels,” advised dietitian Ruvimbo.