Nutritional Status of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Patients Undergoing Conventional Cancer Therapies

Abstract

Conventional cancer therapies are anti-cancer therapies taken by cancer patients with a purpose to achieve ultimate cure. Nutritional status of cancer patients undergoing such cancer therapies is very crucial as they determine their quality of life during as well as after therapy. However there are some common nutritional problems that occur as a result of the disease, treatment or both. So the main nutritional goal is to prevent or reverse nutrient deficiencies, to preserve lean-body mass, to minimize nutrition related side effects and to maximize the quality of life. So the aim of the present study is to gain a better understanding on the nutritional status, food consumption anddietary pattern of the subjects undergoing various conventional cancer therapies. Therefore a survey with the aid of a well formulated interview schedule assessed the nutritional status and health of 80 colorectal cancer patients of 35-65 years from various hospitals of Thrissur and Kozhikode districts.On the basis of the salient observations made in the study, in corporation with the quantitative and qualitative data, it can be concluded that the colorectal cancer patients undergoing various conventional cancer treatment faced many health and nutrition related problems.