I got the idea for writing this topic when I have participated in the latest cancer webinars. It is also my favorite topic when I studied an advanced course of pharmaceutical science.
Many people worry about the quantity of protein eaten when they have been diagnosed with cancer. They believe that eating poultry, fish, meat, eggs may worsen existing cancer.
Basically, almost without exception needs adequate protein eating for cellular restoration throughout the body. Also, protein is one of the most essential nutrients for energizing body activities.
เซลล์เล็กๆน้อยๆทั้งหลายตั้งแต่ศีรษะจรดปลายเท้าของเรา ต่างใช้โปรตีนถึงระดับ DNA พันธุกรรมในการซ่อมแซมตัวเอง และใช้ในการผลิตฮอร์โมนและสารตามธรรมชาติต่างๆ ที่พึงมี เพื่อคงการทำงานของระบบต่างๆให้สมดุล
Every cell throughout the body needs amino acids which are digested from various sources of proteins for cellular growth and repairment. The yield of protein digestion is also important for producing hormones maintaining body function.
Basically, we should eat 1 gram of protein per kilogram body weight per day. For example, If your weight is 50 kilograms, you should eat protein 50 grams per day.
กรณีผู้ที่เป็นมะเร็ง : เซลล์มะเร็งนั้นจริงๆแล้วก็คือเซลล์ที่หลุดรอดจากกระบวนการทำให้ตายอย่างธรรมชาติหรือ apoptosis (อ่าน เอ-โพ-โท-สิส) เป็นเซลล์ที่ไม่มีวันตาย Never die เพราะหลุดรอดจากด่าน checkpoint ที่เปรียบเสมือนด่านตรวจ ประมาณว่ามีความพิการหรือ Over ต่างๆ เกิดขึ้นในเซลล์นั้นแต่ไม่ถูกทำลายไป จึงเกิด "ชุมชน" ของเซลล์ที่ไม่อาจควบคุมจำนวนได้ ในอวัยวะต่างๆสุดแท้แต่ว่าเกิดที่จุดไหน ซึ่งมีปัจจัยมากมายที่กระตุ้นให้ "เริ่ม" เป็นและยิ่ง "รุนแรง"ได้มากขึ้นเรื่อยๆ
The cell cycle has error checkpoints for getting rid of the abnormal cell during cellular replication by apoptosis processing. If the mutant cells could escape this inspection, they may grow and multiply quickly as cancer tumors.
The larger of these abnormal cells is related to the more energy and nutrients needed for their survival.
Moreover, when aggressive cancer grows widely, it triggers the formation of novel blood vessels to support food and oxygen. This process is called metastasis. Then, when metastasis happens, it also increases the risk of invading other organs.
Cancer patients who undergo the medical treatment should eat adequate amounts of protein for energy and nutrient restoration. The patients and also the care keepers should realize that the quality and quantity of meat, poultry, fish, eggs and vegetable proteins are so necessary.
There are multifactorial factors exacerbating the violence of cancer depending on its type such as UV light, abnormal hormonal cycles, stress, inappropriate diets, chemical and harmful substances from foods and environments.
Thus, annual screening for early cancer detection should be concerned.
Many studies reveal that some types of cancer are related to age and gender. For example, the women 40 and older should be screened for breast cancer. The screening of prostate gland cancer is suggested in 50 up men.
However, if you have a family history of cancer, you must undergo early screening.
Currently, there are various approaches to treating cancer such as chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, etc. The combinations of these therapies are also handled for increasing the effectiveness.
There are different benefits and risks involving types of cancer therapies. Thus, the physicians will check the specific type and stage of cancer for choosing the suitable cancer treatment.
However, cancer therapies have diverse unwanted side effects. Even the same treatment in the same cancer could present different adverse effects.
The target of all chemotherapy is killing the cells which have fast-growing rates. Anyway, besides the cancer cells, various normal cells such as hair follicle, skin, bone marrow cells, cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are killed. So, hair loss, GI irritation, anemia, weakness, high risk of infections are normally following side effects of interval chemotherapy treatment.
Seriously, the depletion of white blood cell (WBC) counts is related to the risk of fatal bacteria infection. For this reason, the technicians always check the level of blood components prior to the next chemotherapy.
If the number of WBC counts is in the normal range, the procedure is permitted. Moreover, if the chemotherapy is always processed on a physician's scheduled plan, it means the effectiveness of cancer elimination.
Protein consumption does not exacerbate the severity of existing cancer. Conversely, it is really needed for cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy treatment. The protein malnutrition worsens their health followed by delayed chemotherapy. It also increases the risk of serious bacterial infections and advanced organ impairments.
The basic protein consumption is usually 1 gram per kilogram body weight. However, it depends on the specific pathology that the physicians recommend for individual patients. For example, the person with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in stage 4-5 should consume 0.4-0.8 gram/kg/day of protein.
Egg is usually recommended for cancer patients because it is cheap and easy to cook in various menus. Anyway, there are other good sources of protein which cancer patients could consume every day. I compare their protein quantity as shown below.
Egg consists of three main parts, shell (10%), egg white (60%) and egg yolk (30%). They are sold in different sizes, which is size 0, the biggest size, is the most expensive. Basically, the large egg contains 7 grams of protein, 4 gram is coming from egg white and 3 gram from egg yolk.
One egg yolk contains almost 200 milligrams of cholesterol, on the other hand, the egg white does not have cholesterol at all. The person who has been diagnosed with cancer and hyperlipidemia can safely consume one egg yolk and four egg white daily.
The simple egg menu for cancer patients is the poached and steamed eggs which are added 1-2 cup of water for softening its texture. Anyway, be careful to not over add spicy additives because it can cause painful irritating in the digestive system.
If the weight of a cancer patient is 50 kilograms, he could consume 17 egg white per day (calculated by dividing 50 by 3) when eggs are the only source of protein.
The other sources containing different amounts of protein are shown below.
The protein contents (grams) from 100 grams of raw products are shown below.
The suggested protein consumption is suitable for cancer patients who have only one source of protein.
Chicken breast contains 23 g of protein. ⇒ It should be consumed more than 200 g per day.
Pork tenderloin or sirloin contains 21 g of protein ⇒ It should be taken in about 250 g per day.
Dory fish contains 13 g of protein ⇒ It should be eaten at least 400 g per day.
Prawn contains 20 g of protein ⇒ It should be consumed 250 g per day.
Tofu contains 8 g of protein ⇒ It should be eaten 600 g/day.
Yellow beans contain 36 grams of protein ⇒ It should be consumed 150 g per day.*
*The suggested quantity should be permitted by the physicians in case of ER (estrogen receptor)-positive breast cancer patients. Because the phytoestrogens in yellow beans may worsen them.
Family caregivers can improve the well-being of cancer patients by cooking suitable meals. The little spicy foods appear more delicious. Anyway, adding extra liquid for diluting the spicy taste is considerable.
The simple technique which confirms that the cancer patient is ready for undergoing the next chemotherapy treatment is a blood test screening. The number of red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) counts are considerable.
- The number of haemoglobin (Hb) which infers the quantity of RBCs should be more than 10 g/dl.
- The amount of neutrophils which is an important type of WBCs should be more than 1,500 - 1,800 cells/microliter.
The laboratory results are usually reported as the differential or percentage of neutrophils compared to the overall WBCs.
However, we can calculate easily as the example below.
If the overall white blood cell count is written as 5.23 x 10*3 (5.23 multiplied by 10 to the power of 3), it is equivalent to 5,230 cells/microliter (cells/uL).
Percentage of neutrophils in white blood cells is 48.7%.
Thus, the amount of neutrophils is 5,230 x 48.7 / 100 = 2,547 cells/microliter.
The laboratory results sometimes show the data of neutrophil as percentage compared to the whole white blood cells. Don’t worry, you can calculate it easily as in this example.
If the overall white blood cells count is 5.23 multiply by 10 to the power of 3 = 5,230 cells/microliter.
The percentage of neutrophil is 48.7%.
Thus, the neutrophils are 5,230 x 48.7 / 100 = 2,547 cells/microliter.
The adequate amount of protein is very important during cancer chemotherapy treatment. Even though the surgery, chemotherapy and radiation is performed, the extra protein consumption is needed for wound healing.
Eggs are the ultimate healthy food for cancer patients but sometimes can be quite boring. Nowadays, there are many types of egg white which can be eaten more easily such as egg white powder containing capsules and pasteurized liquid egg whites. They are favorable for both older adults and cancer patients.
Aside from calculating protein in fresh foods by yourself, you could find out the amount of protein in the Nutrition Facts label of instant foods to consume properly.
In addition, Salmonella is a dangerous foodborne microbial which is contaminated in the bad process. Even the undercooked or raw meats and eggs may contain it.
So, besides the quantity of protein, good manufacturing and proper food handling is very important for cancer patients.
ในทางการแพทย์เภสัชกรและนักโภชนาการจะต้องมีการประเมินคนไข้ มะเร็งถึงภาวะโภชนาการ ใช้ค่าที่เรียกว่า SGA ย่อมาจากคำว่า Subject Global Assessment ดังแบบพอร์มในลิงค์นี้ SGA Tool EN BKWT_2017.pdf (nutritioncareincanada.ca) เพื่อประเมินว่า คนไข้คนนั้นได้รับปริมาณอาหารรูปแบบปกติที่กินเคี้ยวได้เพียงพอไหม หรือจำเป็นจะต้องชงโปรตีนอาหารทางการแพทย์ให้
Generally, physicians, pharmacists and nutritionists cooperatively work for evaluating the nutritional status of cancer patients by the Subject Global Assessment or SGA nutrition assessment The SGA form contains 16 subjects of clinical evaluation such as the dietary intaking, weight changing, physical examination and adverse reaction symptoms which has shown in this following link.
If your BMI is between 18.5 - 24.9, it means that you have a healthy weight in relation to your height.
If your BMI is 25.0-30.0, you are overweight. If your BMI is greater than 30.0, you falls in obese status.
If you falls in between overweight and obese, you also have a high risk of NCDs or Non-communicable diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and most cancers.
On the other hand, if your BMI is less than 18.5, you are underweight. The underweight status may be related to nutritional-deficiency anemia and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.
Cancer patients should always have a positive attitude for having the strength and the will to live. The family member-caregivers could provide care and support in various ways for improving the patient’s quality of life.
Also, the medical personnel attempt to develop novel strategies for most effective cancer treatment further.