Getting diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in itself is already an overwhelming thought. Undergoing treatment is another story. We will not sugar coat it: pancreatic cancer is a challenging cancer to treat, placing your body in great stress as it is subjected to a combination of different procedures to defeat the disease. Hence, this article will serve as your guide on how to lessen your body’s burden by listing down the things that you should avoid during your pancreas cancer treatment in Singapore.
What to avoid during your pancreas cancer treatment
1. Avoid alcohol consumption and tobacco use
Alcohol and tobacco bring more harm than good to the body. Alcohol has a negative effect on your pancreas and can bring damage to your liver, which can affect your body’s response to your pancreas cancer treatment, particularly if it fails to metabolise chemotherapy medications. Likewise, tobacco does not cause any beneficial effect to your body’s health. In fact, the use of tobacco can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer development and impede the success of your treatment.
You should quit these unhealthy habits if you would like your treatments to work, improve your condition, and have a better quality of life. Talk to your doctor if you struggle with quitting alcohol and tobacco, so they may refer you to their partners that can help in this area.
2. Avoid a poor and unbalanced diet
Having a healthy body during your treatment will increase its chances of responding to your treatment well. If it is frail, then your medications and other treatments can influence the way your body digests food and absorbs nutrients, leading to your body’s poor response to your pancreas cancer treatment. For this reason, it is important that you are mindful of the kinds of food that you intake and avoid. Remember not to include the following in your diet while you undergo treatment:
- Food and beverages that contain a lot of sugar – The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that regulates the blood sugar levels in the body. It works to keep the flow of the glucose moving from the blood to the cells all over your body, so that you have energy to burn for your activities. If your pancreas is compromised due to cancer, its ability to produce insulin can be impaired. When this happens during your pancreas cancer treatment, the levels of sugar in your blood may fluctuate and not allow your body to respond correctly to medications. Avoid these complications by suppressing your sweet cravings. You must turn a blind eye to desserts, sodas, and sugary snacks while your treatment is ongoing.
- Foods that are high in fats – One of the main roles of the pancreas is to digest fat. Since your pancreas is affected with a disease, it cannot function to its full capacity when foods that are high in fats are consumed. Hence, it is highly recommended that you stay away from greasy, fatty, and fried foods during your treatment and especially when your pancreatic enzymes are insufficient.
- Food that is raw or undercooked – Chemotherapy uses potent drugs that can weaken your immune system, which can make you more sensitive to allergens and other illnesses that can be caused by raw or undercooked food. Stay away from meats that are cooked rare or undercooked, fresh oysters, raw eggs, sushi, and unpasteurised dairy.
Remember to eat a nutritious and well-balanced diet. Choose foods that are easy to digest and high in nutrients. You can seek the help of a nutritionist to get proper guidance on the right foods to eat while you are undergoing pancreas cancer treatment.
3. Avoid missing medicine or supplement intake without advice from your doctor
The medicines and supplements prescribed by your doctor should always be taken following the right dosage and schedule. These are the common medications given for pancreas cancer treatments:
- Chemotherapy drugs – These medications may not be as effective when you skip taking them.
- Herbs and Supplements – While herbs and supplements do not seem harmful, they may cause adverse effects to other treatments that you are taking. Before adding an over-the-counter supplement or skipping a prescribed one, always check with your doctor.
- Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) – This therapy replaces the pancreatic enzyme that your body can no longer produce. Without sufficient pancreatic enzymes, your body will struggle with nutrient absorption, which can result in malnutrition, loss of weight, and complications in your digestive system.
Skipping medications or supplements without guidance from your doctor can only make things worse for your health. You may not like the taste or the effect that these medications have on your body, but without them you may lessen your chances to a better life.
4. Avoid environments that can give you infections
As mentioned earlier, pancreas cancer treatment suppresses your body’s immune system, making you more vulnerable to develop infections. Protect your health by avoiding these environments that can place you at risk of catching bacteria and viruses:
- Individuals that are sick
- Places that are crowded, especially during flu season or COVID outbreaks
- Public places that are unhygienic or cleaned poorly
Additionally, always remember to clean your hands by washing often or using sanitisers and use a face mask whenever you are out in the public.
5. Avoid further stress and body fatigue
Your body is already under stress while taking pancreas cancer treatment, so avoid aggravating it. It is important that you learn to listen to how your body feels. Do not subject it to strenuous activities, especially after chemotherapy or surgery. Allow your body to take all the rest and sleep it needs. You can still do exercises, but choose those that will not need your body to exert too much effort, such as stretching, walking, or light yoga.
Conclusion
Your body’s response to pancreas cancer treatment highly depends on various factors that you have control of. The way you live your life and choose the food that you eat can make or break the progress of your treatment. You can help improve the chances of defeating pancreatic cancer by avoiding the things we mentioned in this article. Follow your doctor’s advice and do not forget to attend your regular clinic appointments, so you can get proper support as you traverse the road to recovery.
