Importance of keeping track of blood counts |
| Your doctor will regularly check your blood cell count by
doing a test called a complete blood count or CBC. This helps him understand
whether your treatment is working, and that your blood count levels are
not dangerously low. After cancer treatment it may take a few weeks for
your counts to get back to normal. |
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| Blood counts measure three important components of
blood: |
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Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to cells throughout
the body |
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White blood cells, which fight infection |
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Platelets, which help blood to clot and stop bleeding |
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| In cancer treatment, surgery removes cancer cells and surrounding
tissue, but chemotherapy affects the cells in the entire body. During chemotherapy
cancerous cells as well as healthy bone marrow cells are destroyed so the
body produces fewer blood cells. This is what leads to a drop in your blood
counts which in turn affects your energy levels and ability to fight off
infections, and causes debilitating side effects. |
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| Monitoring a patient’s diet can help prevent major
dips in blood count levels; a carefully planned diet can help in improving
levels of hemoglobin and other blood parameters. |
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| IMPACT ON BLOOD COUNTS |
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| Register Now to start using this Nutrition Tool OR Go to My Dashboard |
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