When Is the Best Time to Focus on Cancer Nutrition?

When someone makes an enquiry with my office, one question that sometimes comes up is:

“Should I wait?”

Should I wait until after my chemotherapy?

Until after radiotherapy?

Until after surgery?

The people who ask this are highly motivated. They already understand the importance of nutrition for their health, and want to approach it in a way that gives them the best chance of getting it right. Because of that, a few questions naturally come to mind:

• “Would I benefit more if I waited until things have settled down a bit?”

• “Should I wait until I've got the headspace to really focus on this?”

• “Would it make more sense to wait until after my surgery / chemotherapy / radiotherapy before I begin?”

These are very reasonable questions. They come from considering whether the timing might influence how effective the support is, or how much of a difference it can make.

When I’m asked, my answer is always the same:

No, you don’t need to wait - and in fact, the sooner you start, the better.

Importantly, early nutrition support is beneficial. Beginning sooner can influence how well people manage treatment, support treatment tolerance, and contribute to better recovery.

Why Nutrition Isn’t Something to ‘Come Back to Later’

If we think about nutrition as something to come back to later, we miss a valuable opportunity to influence how we manage treatment, how we cope from day to day, and how we support our recovery.

Starting earlier isn’t about doing more, it’s about giving yourself every possible advantage.

Why You Don’t Need a ‘Perfect Moment’ to Begin

People sometimes imagine they need to be more settled, more focused, or more "ready" before starting nutrition support so they can give it "proper attention".

But it doesn't work like that. There is no big switch to flip, no overhaul to brace for, and no expectation that you suddenly do things differently overnight. Good nutrition support meets you exactly where you are - preparing for treatment, in the middle of it, in a busy week, in uncertainty, or on a day when your energy is low.

The guidance adapts to your symptoms, your routines, your capacity, and your life. For many people, the most sustainable changes are small and steady. For others, bigger shifts feel right, and that can be supported too.

The point is that it is not a start–stop process. It is supportive, flexible, and paced with you, not layered on top of everything else.

The evidence for early cancer nutrition support is strong

Prehabilitation (often called prehab) means getting ready for cancer treatment in the time you have before it begins. It focuses on strengthening your nutrition, movement, and emotional wellbeing so you feel as well supported as possible when treatment starts.

The evidence around prehabilitation continues to grow. Preparing early really can make a difference. Cancer Research UK describes how people taking part in prehab are more likely to:

• leave hospital sooner after cancer surgery

• cope better with the side effects of treatment

• experience fewer side effects

• have more treatment options

• have better long-term health

These are not small gains. They’re meaningful shifts in how people move through treatment and recover afterwards.

What people tell me when they start focusing on their nutrition early

People who begin focusing on their nutrition before treatment often tell me afterwards how helpful it was to have had that window to get a few things in place. Having a simple, clear plan helped them feel calmer and better resourced as treatment began.

People say these things:

• “I felt more prepared and less overwhelmed.”

• “It helped me understand what to expect, and what I didn’t need to worry about.”

• “I felt more confident going in.”

• “All the information and attuned advice you’ve been offering me so far is tremendously helpful - I’m much more consciously and skilfully navigating this challenging time.”

If you’d like some nutrition tips to support you before treatment begins, you may find this blog helpful: Nutrition Tips for Cancer Prehabilitation.

During Treatment: Why Nutrition Support Can Make A Real Difference

 A closer look at the AICR guidance:

The American Institute for Cancer Research puts this clearly. Their infographic states:

“From day one, nutrition should be considered alongside treatment for improved outcomes.”

They also highlight that after a cancer diagnosis, eating well can help you throughout chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. In other words, nutrition isn’t something to delay. It plays a supportive role right from the start and throughout treatment.

AICR also outlines several ways good nutrition can help during treatment, including supporting:

• faster healing and recovery

• strength and energy

• immune function

• your ability to tolerate treatment

• maintaining a healthy weight

• replacing or retaining nutrients

• reducing your risk of infection

• and contributing to long-term health outcomes

This reflects what I see in practice. Good nutrition can help to smooth out some of the bumps in the road - enabling people to cope a little better, feel more able to manage each phase of treatment, and get back on their feet sooner.

And while our conversations centre on food, they naturally touch on other areas too: routines, rest, small moments that support your nervous system, and ways to bolster your overall wellbeing. It’s never just about nutrition - it’s about supporting the whole you.

When people consider postponing is often when support helps most

People sometimes consider delaying their appointment because they’re struggling to eat “well” or feel they’ve gone off track, or they have symptoms like nausea or looser stools. If you’re acutely unwell, rest is always the priority.

But delaying because you’re not eating ‘perfectly’ is something different, and it’s often the moment when support can make the most difference.

Nutrition guidance at these times can help you:

• find what’s possible from where you are

• get nourishment on board without worsening symptoms

• reduce the mental load

• protect hydration

• ease symptoms

• feel more able to cope

• feel better sooner

It takes away that sense of “how on earth do I manage this now?” and replaces it with clear, manageable steps.

If you're looking for practical tips to help manage treatment side effects, this blog may help: A Practical Guide to Managing Cancer Treatment Side Effects.

Nutrition Can Support You At Any Stage

Wherever you are in your care - preparing, in the middle of treatment, early recovery, or months or years later - nutrition doesn’t require perfect conditions or a “right time”.

It starts from where you are.

Not waiting until things feel more settled.

Not waiting until you feel your best.

Not waiting until the end of treatment.

Nutrition support often makes the biggest difference when it begins from your real starting point, wherever that is today.

If You’d Like Personalised Support

If you’d value clearer direction with your nutrition, at your pace, you’re welcome to get in touch.

The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered personalised nutrition, dietetic, or medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team for personalised advice and guidance regarding your specific medical condition or dietary needs.