Diet and nutrition

Following a cancer diagnosis, our Cancer Rehabilitation Team offers nutritional assessment and support before and after your surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The team also offers physiotherapy and occupational assessment and support.

How can a dietitian help you?

You may have many questions about food and nutrition following your diagnosis.

A dietitian can help you to:

eat and drink well throughout treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and bone marrow transplant
manage nutritional problems related to weight loss, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, taste changes, constipation and diarrhoea
improve nutritional status before treatment or surgery, by reducing weight loss and helping the promotion of muscle mass and strength
empower you to be confident in making appropriate food choices before and after treatment, surgery, and during any hospital admission
encourage recovery and wound healing post-surgery
adopt a healthy eating pattern and lifestyle during and after your treatment

Who can I speak to about referral?

If you feel you would benefit from a service, please ask your clinical nurse specialist to complete a referral request. The team has referral criteria that you will need to meet in order to be contacted.

What happens after referral?

If your referral is accepted, the dietetic team will assess your nutritional needs, and will invite you to attend either a one-to-one appointment or a group session. These may be held by video call.

We offer dietetic services at:

King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill
Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH), Orpington
Beckenham Beacon, Beckenham
Tessa Jowell Health Centre, Dulwich

We also offer telephone and virtual consultations.

Further information and support

For more information and support, please visit the below web pages from trusted cancer and diet organisations:

> Help and support page