Each of the cancer treatments can cause different problems that can make eating or drinking challenging. Here are some practical tips on how to manage eating issues depending on the type of treatment you’ve received:

Surgery
After surgery, the body needs extra calories and protein to heal the wound and support recovery. This is when many people experience pain
and fatigue. Additionally, they may not be able to eat normally due to surgery-related side effects. The body’s ability to use nutrients may also be altered by surgery involving any
part of the digestive system (such as the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, colon, or rectum).

Radiation Therapy
The type of side effects caused by radiation therapy depends on the area of the body receiving radiation, the size of the treated area, the total radiation dose and type, and the number of treatment sessions.

Side effects usually start around the second or third week of treatment and are most intense after about two-thirds of the treatment duration. After radiation therapy, most side effects last for three to four weeks, but some may last much longer.

Inform your cancer care team about any side effects you experience so they can prescribe necessary medications. For example, there are medicines to control nausea and vomiting, as well as to treat diarrhea.

Chemotherapy
The side effects of chemotherapy (chemo) you might experience vary depending on the type of drugs and the method of administration. Most people receive chemotherapy on an outpatient basis at a treatment center. The administration of chemotherapy can take from a few minutes to many hours. Make sure to eat something beforehand. Most people find that having a light meal or snack about an hour before works best. If the treatment session will last for several hours, plan ahead and bring a small meal or snacks in an insulated bag or cooler.