Do you need a referral for nutrition support in cancer?

Your oncologist, nurse, surgeon or primary care doctor can direct you to an oncology dietitian. Some cancer centres accept requests directly from patients already receiving care. Ask the treatment centre whether it has an in-house dietetic service and what information is needed to arrange an appointment.

An oncology dietitian assesses food intake, weight changes, symptoms, treatment effects and any medical conditions that influence eating. Advice can be adapted for poor appetite, nausea, taste changes, dry mouth, mouth soreness, swallowing difficulty, bowel changes or fatigue.

Support may include changes to meal texture or timing, ways to increase energy and protein, suitable oral nutrition products, and plans for tube or intravenous feeding when the clinical team considers them necessary. Recommendations should fit the cancer treatment plan rather than rely on restrictive diets or unreviewed supplements.

Tell the cancer team about unplanned weight change, reduced intake and symptoms that interfere with meals as soon as they appear. Bring a list of medicines and supplements, and note what you can currently eat and drink. Mention diabetes, kidney disease, food allergies or swallowing problems because these can change the advice.

Avoid starting high-dose supplements or eliminating major food groups without clinical guidance, as these choices may interfere with treatment or worsen deficiencies. Nutrition Support in Cancer explains the types of help that may be offered during care.

Contact the treatment team promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, are passing very little urine, feel faint or confused, have repeated vomiting, or develop new difficulty swallowing. Seek emergency help for choking or breathing difficulty. These symptoms require medical assessment and should not wait for a routine dietetic appointment.

Ask how treatment may affect eating, which symptoms should trigger a call, and whether your current supplements are appropriate. Request practical advice for meals, drinks and food texture, plus a plan for monitoring intake and weight. Confirm whom to contact if swallowing or hydration worsens between visits.