Recovery Immediately After (cancer)Treatment After cancer therapy has been completed, the next phase of cancer survivorship is recovery. In this phase, many symptoms and side effects of treatment that have affected nutritional and physical well-being begin to resolve. Typically, survivors recover from the acute effects of their specific treatment within weeks or months after completing therapy, although in some instances, side effects of treatment persist. In addition, late-occurring or latent effects of treatment may appear long (months or years) after treatment has been completed.37-39 Examples of continuing side effects or complications of cancer treatment relevant to nutritional status include persistent fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, changed sense of taste, difficulty chewing and swallowing, difficulty in replenishing lean body mass after the completion of therapy, and persistent bowel changes such as diarrhea or constipation. Survivors may require ongoing nutritional assessment and guidance in this phase of survival.40-42 For those who emerge from treatment underweight or with compromised nutritional status, continued supportive care, including nutritional counseling and pharmacotherapy to relieve symptoms and stimulate appetite, is helpful in the recovery process.13, 43 After treatment, a program of regular physical activity is essential to aid in the process of recovery and improve fitness. - Read more at onlinelibrary.wiley/doi/10.3322/caac.21142/full
Posted on: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 13:27:26 +0000