Response:

The keto diet is very low in carbohydrates, high in fat, and moderate in protein. It is only used in specific cases, such as treating drug-resistant epilepsy, and requires medical supervision. This diet is not widely recommended for everyone or for cancer patients. To date, there is no reliable evidence to suggest that the keto diet can slow cancer progression, prevent recurrence, or enhance treatment effectiveness.

Severely reducing carbohydrates, as required by the keto diet, can lead to energy deficiency in patients, resulting in malnutrition, decreased immunity, and negatively impacting treatment and recovery.

According to the Ministry of Health's Nutrition Guidelines for Cancer Patients (18/6), patients should avoid energy-deficient diets, including keto. Instead, each patient needs to be screened for malnutrition risk and have a suitable diet plan developed to ensure adequate energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Cancer patients face a risk of weight loss and muscle mass reduction due to the tumor itself and treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy. *Vecteezy*

For rectal cancer, there is currently no recommendation to adopt a keto diet. Maintaining a good physical condition is crucial for responding to treatment. Patients should consume a diverse, balanced diet with sufficient energy and protein; increasing intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, lean meat, eggs, milk, and legumes.

If you experience loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, or difficulty swallowing, you should consult your doctor or a nutritionist for dietary adjustments. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol, and avoid smoking.

In addition to a proper diet, cancer patients also need to proactively prevent infectious diseases. Depending on age, health status, and treatment regimen, patients should receive all recommended vaccines, such as those for influenza, pneumococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and shingles.

Furthermore, family members or those living with cancer patients should also get vaccinated against disease-causing agents to prevent cross-infection to the patient.

Doctor Pham Dinh Dong

Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System

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