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As a Registered Dietitian working in the oncology setting,
our primary focus during an initial meeting is to provide each patient
with clear instructions on how to optimize current nutritional status.
When talking about colorectal cancer, both the cancer and cancer treatments
such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery
will impact a person’s ability to maintain good nutrition.
This is where a Registered Dietitian plays a key role by meeting with patients
providing nutrition education to help with symptom management.
We would likely discuss modifying fiber intake, meeting protein needs, maintaining hydration,
and establish an eating plan that takes into account the patients’ unique nutritional
needs. Dietitians coordinate care with our doctors,
nurses, and other various team members
to ensure our patient has the support necessary for maintaining good nutritional status.
For the patient that has a more normalized eating ability, the education we provide
is focused on making good “lifetime” diet choices for cancer survivorship
and to reduce the risk of reoccurrence.
Working as a dietitian in this setting is very rewarding as we are able to see
on a regular basis how valuable our role is in helping our patient,
via good nutrition, during cancer treatment.