Shortness of breath is one of lung cancer’s first symptoms and complications. It also leads to fluid accumulation in the lungs, preventing them from expanding when inhaling. Chest pain, bloody cough, and the chances of cancer spreading from the lungs to other parts of the body are some of the potential complications. Treatments aim to reduce symptoms’ intensity and improve the quality of life and life expectancy for those affected by lung cancer.

Role of food in managing lung cancer
Good nutrition should be the fundamental and underlying factor while preparing meals for a patient who has either been diagnosed with lung cancer or is undergoing treatment. What you eat can directly impact how your body fights cancer and responds to treatment. Oral and intravenous prescription treatments, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are normal treatments for any cancer, including lung cancer. Food can influence the speed with which the cancer cells spread, the efficacy of treatments, and prevent the chances of recurrence. For example, a sugar-rich meal can influence cancer cell growth. An ideal cancer meal should contain the following:

• • Essential vitamins

• • Folate

• • Selenium

• • Phytonutrients

• • Antioxidants

• Dietary fiber

Similarly, many foods are detrimental to people with lung cancer. These foods can worsen lung cancer symptoms, wheezing, chest pain, exhaustion, sudden weight loss, and bloody cough.

Eight foods that can worsen lung cancer and treatment
Cancer and treatment can cause mouth ulcers, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue, and the patients are at risk of frequent infection because of a weak immune system. The following uncooked or raw food has to be avoided for many weeks after treatment:

Processed meat
Some data link that high consumption of red meat has a higher risk of cancer. They contain high amounts of nitrates, nitrites, and preservatives, which can increase inflammation and worsen cancer symptoms. Avoid the following types of processed meat: