Dietitian Service

Healthy eating is important for everyone. If you have cancer, eating a healthy, balanced diet can help to improve your strength, energy levels and wellbeing.

At Cancer Centre London, we know that cancer and the side effects of treatment can contribute to problems with your diet. For example, you may lose your appetite or be unable to eat certain foods. Our dietitian service can give you the nutritional support that you need.

Reasons to see a dietitian

There are many reasons why you may choose to see a dietitian. You may ask for specialist advice about your diet. Your GP or consultant may also refer you to a dietitian to help you manage the side effects of treatment.

Our dietitian can work with you on a one-to-one basis or as part of the wider health team at Cancer Centre London. The dietitian can:

• help you to understand the evidence and myths about diet and cancer
• support the treatment of specific cancers
• support your nutritional needs while you deal with the side effects of treatment, such as:

–taste changes
–nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting
–diarrhoea
¬–constipation
–dry mouth
–sore mouth and throat
–difficulty swallowing
–poor appetite
¬–early satiety (being unable to eat a full meal or feeling full after eating only a small amount of food)

• help you plan a healthy diet after treatment to reduce the risk of further cancer, rebuild your strength and aid recovery
• give you advice on dietary supplements
• help you if you would like to lose weight in a safe and sensible way after treatment
• support you if you have lost weight as a result of your diagnosis or treatment
• give practical tips for carers to ensure that the person they look after has a healthy diet.

Our dietitian

Our dietitian is registered with the Health Care and Professions Council and the British Dietetic Association (the professional body for UK dietitians).

Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals who are regulated by law and governed by a professional code of conduct. This ensures that they follow high quality standards when treating all patients under their care.

What treatments can a dietitian offer?

There is increasing awareness that a healthy diet is vital to keep well and prevent disease. Although there is a lot of nutritional information on the internet, it is not always based on scientific evidence. This can make it difficult to choose the best possible diet.

Dietitians have the professional knowledge and skills to give you practical guidance based on reliable research. You can then make positive diet and lifestyle choices to help improve your health and wellbeing.

Dietitian appointments are tailored to your individual medical needs. The dietitian gives you advice to achieve your personal nutrition and lifestyle goals.

How do I book an appointment?

To book an appointment with the dietitian at Cancer Centre London, you or your doctor can telephone 020 8971 8206 or email Sophie.McFarland@parkside-hospital.co.uk

We may ask you to complete a three-day food diary and bring this to your appointment. If you cannot visit our clinic, we can arrange a telephone appointment with the dietitian.

In some cases, we may contact your GP or consultant before or after your appointment. We can make them aware of our advice to you and check that we have all the information needed to give you the best care.

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