The Importance of Nutrition as a Foundation for the Recovery of Child Cancer Patients
In commemoration of World Childhood Cancer Day, PT Kalbe Farma Tbk emphasizes the crucial role of nutrition for child cancer patients. Optimal nutritional support is considered a key foundation in supporting the success of therapy and accelerating the recovery process during treatment.
Medical General Manager of Kalbe, Dr. Dedyanto Henky Saputra, explained that a strong body condition is essential for children to cope with the various side effects of chemotherapy.
“Nutrition is an important foundation in supporting the success of cancer therapy in young children. Adequate nutritional intake helps the body cope with the side effects of chemotherapy and supports recovery,” said Dedyanto in a written statement, quoted on Wednesday (February 25).
Based on data from the Indonesian Pediatric Cancer Registry, as many as 3,834 new cases of child cancer occurred during the period from 2021 to 2022.
This figure confirms that cancer in children is a serious health problem that requires comprehensive treatment, including special attention to the nutritional status of patients.
Regarding the causes of cancer in children, Dedyanto emphasized that this condition is generally related to genetic changes or DNA mutations, exposure to pollutants, and abnormal cell growth.
He clarified the public’s perception that cancer is not solely triggered by the food consumed by children.
However, after diagnosis is established, nutritional status becomes very vital. Untreated malnutrition can disrupt the smooth schedule of therapy due to the child’s physical condition not being strong enough.
In the medical world, malnutrition is often characterized by a decrease in appetite.
If left untreated, this condition can develop into more severe malnutrition, even cachexia, a condition of weight loss and muscle mass accompanied by metabolic disorders.
Therefore, Dedyanto emphasized the importance of collaboration between parents, doctors, and nutritionists so that the risk of malnutrition can be detected early.
The main challenge in meeting the nutritional needs of child patients is the side effects of therapy, such as nausea, vomiting, and mouth sores that make it difficult for children to eat.
Brand Owner of Nutrican, Yulius Denis Chrismaaji, highlighted this obstacle. “Generally, children’s nutritional needs are not met because children have difficulty eating during therapy, for example, due to mouth sores, nausea, or vomiting,” said Yulius.
As a practical solution, experts suggest providing food in small portions but with high nutritional content.
In addition, additional nutritional support can also be considered if intake from ordinary food is not sufficient to meet energy needs during therapy. (Ant/Z-1)