Fight Cancer with Healthy Diet
Melanie Mitchell, Dietitian
As a dietitian at Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center, I help patients in various stages of their cancer treatment. Individuals going through
chemotherapy and/or radiation can benefit from a nutrition plan that is specific to their cancer type. As treatment comes to completion, nutrition goals change to putting on weight as well as vitamin or mineral loses caused by treatment. Lastly, I am able to counsel patients on dietary habits that will decrease their risk of cancer recurrence as well as their risk of secondary cancers.
Research has shown good nutrition as a vital player in cancer prevention. Following a plant-based diet, or a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, and nuts is an important step toward decreasing cancer risk. Limiting preserved animal products (bacon, sausage, and deli meat), refined sugars (candy, soda, and sugary snacks), alcohol, and processed foods is necessary to prevent certain cancer types. Lastly, engaging in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily offers a multitude of benefits. Simple strategies, like switching out snacks for fruit, adding a vegetable to each meal, or changing a typical dinner to a vegetarian meal over time, can add up to good overall health. In addition to better health, changing the way you eat and move daily can result in a healthy body weight.
Melanie completed her dietetics education at Illinois State University and interned at the University of Iowa where she was hired as an ICU and Burn dietitian. Her family moved to Lincoln in 2008 after two years in Miami, Florida. In 2011, she completed her Masters in Nutrition Education and is happily employed by Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center.
chemotherapy and/or radiation can benefit from a nutrition plan that is specific to their cancer type. As treatment comes to completion, nutrition goals change to putting on weight as well as vitamin or mineral loses caused by treatment. Lastly, I am able to counsel patients on dietary habits that will decrease their risk of cancer recurrence as well as their risk of secondary cancers.
Research has shown good nutrition as a vital player in cancer prevention. Following a plant-based diet, or a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, and nuts is an important step toward decreasing cancer risk. Limiting preserved animal products (bacon, sausage, and deli meat), refined sugars (candy, soda, and sugary snacks), alcohol, and processed foods is necessary to prevent certain cancer types. Lastly, engaging in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily offers a multitude of benefits. Simple strategies, like switching out snacks for fruit, adding a vegetable to each meal, or changing a typical dinner to a vegetarian meal over time, can add up to good overall health. In addition to better health, changing the way you eat and move daily can result in a healthy body weight.
Melanie completed her dietetics education at Illinois State University and interned at the University of Iowa where she was hired as an ICU and Burn dietitian. Her family moved to Lincoln in 2008 after two years in Miami, Florida. In 2011, she completed her Masters in Nutrition Education and is happily employed by Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center.
Event Recap: Mardi Gras Casino Royale
Held at Hillcrest Country Club on February 28, 2017, the Mardi Gras fundraising event treated more than 300 attendees to wonderful
food and entertainment. The event raised more than $45,000 for the Heartland Cancer Foundation. The Foundation gives gas cards for transportation and also helps pay for oral medications for low-income cancer patients in Southeast Nebraska and Northeast Kansas.
Information on next year’s Gala will appear in future newsletters, or you can contact the Heartland Cancer Foundation office at 402-261-9974.
food and entertainment. The event raised more than $45,000 for the Heartland Cancer Foundation. The Foundation gives gas cards for transportation and also helps pay for oral medications for low-income cancer patients in Southeast Nebraska and Northeast Kansas.
Information on next year’s Gala will appear in future newsletters, or you can contact the Heartland Cancer Foundation office at 402-261-9974.
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Testicular cancer is cancer of the testicles and occurs most commonly in men ages 15 to 35, but all ages can be at risk. The cause is unknown. White males are 4.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with testicular cancer than African-American men. The risk for men of Hispanic, Native American and Asian decent falls somewhere between that of white and African-American men.
Approximately 8,500 men are diagnosed each year and almost 400 men die each year of testicular cancer. Early detection is the key to a positive outcome. Self examination is very important. Most cancers are found by men themselves or their partners. The main symptom is a lump, hardness or painless swelling of the testicle. When these symptoms occur, making an appointment with a doctor is vital.
Testicular cancer is a very curable disease if caught and treated early. Survival rate is 95% with early detection.
Approximately 8,500 men are diagnosed each year and almost 400 men die each year of testicular cancer. Early detection is the key to a positive outcome. Self examination is very important. Most cancers are found by men themselves or their partners. The main symptom is a lump, hardness or painless swelling of the testicle. When these symptoms occur, making an appointment with a doctor is vital.
Testicular cancer is a very curable disease if caught and treated early. Survival rate is 95% with early detection.