Why is it important to follow a balanced diet during treatment?

Following a nutritionally balanced diet is of utmost importance during your treatment for breast cancer. Not only will a nutritious diet provide all of the essential nutrients and energy (calories) your body requires for normal day to day functioning, it will also enable your body recover from the extra demands caused by your cancer treatment. During your treatment your requirements of certain nutrients increase, these increased requirements, combined with the problem that you may experience nausea during treatment, can lead to fatigue and nutrient deficiencies such as anaemia. Adequate nutrition is also important to help with would healing caused by the side effects of radiation therapy and in helping your body fight infections.