Dietician

Nutrition is the process during which the body uses food to grow, be healthy and replenish its tissues. Good nutrition predisposes towards good health. But when, for any reason, the body cannot absorb the necessary nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, and trace elements), malnutrition occurs.

Medical nutrition therapy helps patients receive the nutrients they need, depending on the diagnosis and the treatment they will receive, in order to maintain a strong body. Many studies have shown that a body receiving proper nutrition and the necessary calories and protein, responds better to treatment and enjoys a better quality of life. An increasing number of studies associate the quality of nutrition and body weight with cancer. At the time of the diagnosis and/or during their treatment, many patients have nutrition-related symptoms/side effects which, if not identified and addressed early, can easily lead to malnutrition. These symptoms include, amongst others, lack of appetite, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhoea, feeling of sickness and vomiting.

The referral of a patient by the doctor to the clinical dietician is followed by:

• Nutritional assessment.
• Body measurements.
• Creation of nutritional plan and/or dietary instructions based on the specific needs of each patient. The socioeconomic status and the nutritional habits of the patient are always taken into consideration.
• Training of the patient and his/her caregivers in the implementation of the nutritional plan and the dietary instructions.
• Planning of appointment for the further assessment of the patient.

Clinical Dieticians offer clinical dietician services at the Oncology Centre to both inpatients and outpatients, every day, except Wednesday. The assessment by the Centre’s clinical dieticians may be made before, during and/or after treatment, following consultations with the medical, nursing and paramedical staff, in order to ensure the patient receives quality nutrition.