Avastin Treatment

How Can I Take an Active Role?

People undergoing treatment for cancer often feel more in control when they take an active role in their treatment. There are several things you can do:

  1. Understand your treatment. Know the anticancer drugs you are given and what to expect. Keep a record of your medicines, their possible side effects, and their dosing schedule. Feel comfortable asking your cancer care team to help you understand how your medicines work.

  2. Talk to your doctor about your treatment goals. You and your doctor know your medical history. Together, you should discuss reasonable treatment goals and what you can expect from your treatment with Avastin. This way, you'll know what to expect and can stay focused on your goals.

  3. Keep track of how you're feeling…and let your team know about it. Start a health journal by using a notebook to keep track of changes in your health. Use it to write down how you physically feel. Include any side effects you notice and then report these to your doctor or nurse. Knowing how you're doing on treatment can help your doctor take the best care of you.

  4. Stay involved in all decision making. Listen to the advice of your healthcare team and understand what is being asked of you. Understanding the reasons for the treatments your team suggests may help you feel more in control of your situation. Remember that your doctor and cancer care team have extensive knowledge of and experience with cancer and its treatment.

Always discuss with your doctor any questions you have about cancer therapy and treatment with Avastin.

Eating right can make a difference

Did you know that the foods you eat during cancer can help you maintain body weight and strength, prevent body tissue from breaking down, rebuild tissue, and fight infection? That's why it's more important now than ever to maintain your normal weight and eat foods that will help you keep up your energy. This may be difficult since cancer and chemotherapy may affect your appetite and your body's ability to process nutrients. Plus, some of the side effects of cancer treatment listed below can affect your ability to eat:

  • loss of appetite
  • sore mouth or throat
  • dry mouth
  • dental/gum problems
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • changes in sense of taste or smell
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • fatigue
  • depression

Nutrients that fight for you

The right nutrients can help you maintain your health while facing cancer. The nutrients you need most at this time include protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals. Below you will find a list of the foods that supply these nutrients.

Protein

Lean meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, nuts, dried beans, peas, lentils, and soy foods

Carbohydrates

Fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta, grains, cereal products, and dried beans

Fats

Butter, margarine, oils, nuts, seeds, and the fat in meats, fish, and poultry

Vitamins and minerals

If you are eating a balanced diet with plenty of calories and protein, you probably don't need a vitamin supplement. If you are not, however, your doctor may recommend vitamin and mineral supplements

Water or other fluids

If your treatment is causing vomiting or diarrhea, dehydration may occur. For this reason, drink plenty of water or other fluids every day to prevent dehydration

Remember, each cancer patient may have different nutrient needs. Your cancer care team can help you identify your nutrition goals and plan strategies to help you meet them.

Controlling diarrhea

If you are receiving chemotherapy, one of the common side effects may be diarrhea. Because diarrhea can cause dehydration (a lack of water in the body) and make you feel fatigued, it's important to treat it as soon as possible.

Diarrhea can be treated with changes in diet and over-the-counter medications (medications you can buy without a prescription). Talk to your doctor or nurse before taking any over-the-counter medications, vitamin supplements, or herbal remedies. For severe diarrhea, your doctor may prescribe a prescription drug.

Some of the other ways to deal with diarrhea are:

  • Drink lots of water to replace what has been lost

  • Eat several small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals

  • Eat/drink foods that contain sodium and potassium to replace what has been lost:

    • Bouillon or fat-free broth
    • Sports drinks
    • Bananas
    • Peaches
    • Apricot nectar
    • Boiled or mashed potatoes

Suggested foods to help stop diarrhea from occurring include:

  • Yogurt, cottage cheese
  • Rice, noodles, potatoes
  • Farina, oatmeal, cream of wheat
  • Eggs (cooked until the white part is solid), not fried
  • Smooth peanut butter
  • Jams, jellies, gelatin
  • White bread, toast
  • Canned, peeled fruits (like applesauce) and well-cooked vegetables
  • Skinless chicken or turkey, lean beef, fish (not fried)
  • Hard candy, pound cake
  • Animal crackers, pretzels
  • Lactose-free dairy products like soy milk

Suggested foods to avoid when suffering from diarrhea:

  • Greasy, fatty, fried, heavily seasoned foods
  • Raw vegetables, unpeeled fruit
  • Orange or prune juice
  • High-fiber vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, dried beans
  • Raw meat or fish
  • Anything very hot or cold
  • Caffeine (coffee, tea, colas, chocolate)
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Rhubarb

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