Hodgkins Disease (cont.)
Nutrition during cancer treatment
Eating well during cancer
treatment means getting enough calories and protein to help prevent weight loss
and regain strength. Good nutrition
often helps people feel better and have more energy.
Some people with cancer find it hard to eat a balanced diet because they
may lose their appetite. In addition, common side effects of treatment, such
as nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores, can make eating difficult. Often, foods
taste different. Also, people being treated for cancer may not feel like
eating when they are uncomfortable or tired.
Doctors, nurses, and dietitians can offer advice on how to get enough
calories and protein during cancer treatment. Patients and their families
also may want to read the National Cancer Institute booklet Eating Hints
for Cancer Patients, which contains many useful suggestions.
Recovery and outlook
It is natural for anyone facing cancer to be concerned about what the
future holds. Understanding the nature of cancer and what to expect can help
patients and their loved ones plan treatment, anticipate lifestyle changes,
and make quality of life and financial decisions.
Cancer patients frequently ask their doctors or search on their own for
statistics to answer the question, "What is my prognosis?" Prognosis is a
prediction of the future course and outcome of a disease and an indication
of the likelihood of recovery from that disease. However, it is only an
estimate. When doctors discuss a patient's prognosis, they are attempting to
project what is likely to occur for that individual patient. The prognosis
for Hodgkin's disease can be affected by many factors, particularly the
stage of the cancer, the patient's response to treatment, and the patient's
age and general health.
Sometimes people use statistics to try to figure out their chances of
being cured. However, statistics reflect the experience of a large group of
patients. They cannot be used to predict what will happen to a particular
patient because no two patients are alike; treatment and responses vary
greatly. The doctor who is most familiar with a patient's situation is in
the best position to help interpret statistics and discuss the patient's
prognosis.
When doctors talk about surviving cancer, they may use the term remission
rather than cure. Although many people with Hodgkin's disease are
successfully treated, doctors use the term remission because cancer can
return. It is important to discuss the possibility of recurrence with the
doctor.
Next: What happens after treatment for Hodgkin's disease? »
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