Nutritionist/Dietician Trained in Oncology
 

Hi Tanya,
You have been a big help to us. My naturopath has been a big help to me personally. I have learned alot from Doctor Melmet Oz. I continue to do research to try to learn as much as I can about the best foods to eat. I have learned alot and I continue to learn how to eat better everyday. I eat three medium sized well balanced meals, plus one pretty healthy snack a day. I lost 50 pounds on purpose since my diagnosis in January, 1999. My labs have improved too. If I gain a pound the medical professionals in my doctor's office think that is great. I don't think so. I want to keep my weight down, because I was too heavy when I was diagnosed. I believe my previous diet and lifestyle contributed to my diagnosis.
However, the medical professionals in my doctor's office just tell patients to eat whatever they want or feel like eating. Eating whatever we want or feel like eating is not always the best thing to do, because a poor diet may contribute to cancer and other health problems.
There may also be drug/food interactions that need to be discussed. Nobody bothers to instruct the patients in that area either. Candy is the only snack available in the doctor's office. Jars of it are in every corner or on every counter.
I often thought my doctor's office needs to hire an oncology trained nutritionist/dietician or at least try to refer each patient to one for a one time consultation.
Since Hawaii is a multi cultural society we eat foods from many ethnic groups. There are healthy things in every ethnic food, so that would not present a problem.
Is there a nutritionist/dietician who is trained in oncology on the island of Oahu in Hawaii?
If you don't know anyone is there a professional organization where I can find that information?
Feel free to pm me if you don't think it is appropriate to reply in the forum.
Thanks for your help. Take care.
ElaineM

Re: Nutritionist/Dietician Trained in Oncology
 

Elaine,
Congratulations on taking control of your health, managing your diet and losing weight. You are absolutely correct that avoiding weight gain is of primary importance after a breast cancer diagnosis. I am not surprised by the response you get from your doctor's office (although disappointed). The fact is that many cancer centers do not have a dietitian on staff despite the obvious need for nutrition management of symptoms and survivorship. So often in oncology we become focused on preventing weight loss with our patients because they have difficulties with their appetite, taste, unintentional weight loss, etc. During these times we often open up nutritional recommendations to include anything that can be tolerated just to achieve adequate calories. However, once symptoms are managed or remission is achieved the gears should switch back to a well balanced, healthy diet. Unfortunately, many practitioners still don't recognize that nutrition really does make a difference. I ended up with my position because patients kept asking for nutritional assistance. Finally the oncologist got tired of not being able to give answers that satisfied his patients and he sought out my services. The addition of the Board Certification in Oncology Nutrition (CSO) should help move RDs into the field a little more. I looked at our oncology practice group website for specialists in Hawaii. I see 4 RDs but it doesn't specify their specialties. I have posted a message to our national listserv requesting info on anyone with an oncology background contact me. I will pass it along as I receive it.

Keep on your current path. It sounds like you have made some wise choices. You may consider discussing your thoughts with your oncologist. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks!

Re: Nutritionist/Dietician Trained in Oncology
 

Elaine,
I have learned that there are no CSO's in Hawaii. However, there are 15 RD's registered on the "Find a Registered Dietitian" link on the American Dietetic Association website. Some of those RDs have oncology listed as an area of practice. This link is open to the public and can be searched by state. Here is the link for Hawaii.
http://www.eatright.org/Public/Find....s=10&states=HI

For anyone else interested in finding a Registered Dietitian in your state go to www.eatright.org and click on the upper right corner where it says "Find a Registered Dietitian".

Elaine, I should mention that most RDs would be receptive to receiving a call to discuss expansion of services. Don't hesitate to contact someone on the list. Good luck!

Re: Nutritionist/Dietician Trained in Oncology
 

Thank you so much Tanya. I appreciate your help very much.
I visited the websites you suggested and found the list of dieticians. There seems to be several dieticians who have included oncology in their areas of interests.
I am going to talk to the doctor. If the doctor's office does not want to hire a dietician they could have a list of dieticians who may be willing to talk with the patients upon request. It would also be good if one or more of those dieticians could provide a couple classes for patients who may be interested in eating healthier.
Learning to eat healthier has helped me tremedously.

Re: Nutritionist/Dietician Trained in Oncology
 

I'm glad it was helpful. Please let me know how it turns out.

Re: Nutritionist/Dietician Trained in Oncology
 

Last time I saw my onc, I gently fussed at him for not having any visible sources of info and/or referrals for support for the patients. (I'm a social worker, so I notice this kind of stuff). I told him lots of times people want that kind of information, but won't necessarily ask for it. They or family members want to pick up a flier for future reference should they need it. And while I didn't specifically mention nutrition or nutritionists, that is certainly one thing I had in mind. He seemed receptive, so hopefully his office will follow up and make a resource corner in their big huge new-construction office space. (I also told him he needed more interesting magazines besides just Cure!)

Re: Nutritionist/Dietician Trained in Oncology
 

Keep pushing =) With 12 million cancer survivors in the US survivorship care should be standard of practice.

Nutritionist/Dietician Trained in Oncology
 

This might be a little off subject... but still. My Trained patch is for Den Chief training.

Ooh, here we go; getting back on subject. Im now 18, does that mean I have to remove my beloved Trained patch?

Re: Nutritionist/Dietician Trained in Oncology
 

I have experience the same so I also give suggestions on how to have a community billboard/corner for patients/family members to glance and read educational information and resources.