[TanyaRD]

Yogurt can be very helpful for replacing the good bacteria in the gut that is lost during cancer treatment. I suspect the radiation doctor might have been concerned about yogurt because of something called neutropenia. Neutropenia occurs when the white blood cells and/or neutrophils become too low in the blood. These cells our the infection fighters. Someone who has neutropenia is very prone to infection. For that reason, sometimes one might have to follow a neutropenic diet. This diet excludes raw fruits and vegetables, soft cheeses, deli meats (unless heated to 165 degrees), yogurt, undercooked meats. The diet isn't used as much as it was in the past because there are now drugs that help raise white blood cells/neutrophils like neupogen/neulasta. If blood levels are ok yogurt is not typically restricted.