What should I feed him

My husband has prostate cancer that has metastasised into the liver .  He is in a lot of discomfort. - feels sick, hard to pass stools, painful stomach, pain walking around etc etc. can you please tell me what he should be eating and what to avoid? I know red meat and saturated fats are bad but he still wants them - and chocolate. He doesn’t want  to eat fruit and vegetables.  He doesn’t much like chicken and has gone off fish. I am struggling. II worry his choice of food is exacerbating the problems but I need some advice please. 

  • Hello and thanks for your enquiry,

    I can appreciate your concern. I think it is a case of letting him enjoy what he fancies to be honest. Certainly, trying to get protein sources in, such as eggs, cheese, meat, fish, pulses and beans, can help maintain muscle strength. If he is feeling sick, then his GP can prescribe some anti sickness tablets/syrup that can help a lot when taken before trying to eat. Some patients can benefit from different pain relief medication, and a short course of steroids can help with swelling around the liver area. I am not sure if a community palliative care team are involved, but a GP can refer to them if not. They can advise on difficult symptoms and liase with the GP about this. They are not only there for end of life care.

    Going back to the diet intake issues, there is helpful information on the Macmillan Cancer Support website about meal ideas and shopping list for a building up diet,

    https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/building-up-diet/meal-ideas-shopping-list

    They also have a booklet about the building up diet. You can ring them for a booklet to be posted if not viewing it online. The GP may be able to refer him to a community dietician for advice. There are also supplement drinks that can be prescribed by the GP as well.

    We have information about these drinks here on our website

    I hope that this helps,

    Best wishes,

    Vanda