[TanyaRD]

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!