Diet and nutrition are crucial during childhood, as this is a time of growth and development. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, good nutrition becomes even more vital. Their growing body must not only develop but also endure the challenges of treatment and its side effects. The focus should be on preventing or treating cancer-related malnutrition because prevention is always better than cure.
Not all children react to cancer treatment in the same way. While some maintain their normal appetite and energy levels, others may struggle with weight loss, slow growth, fatigue, irritability, and frequent infections—all signs of poor nutrition.
The Benefits of Good Nutrition
Supports normal growth in height, weight gain, and overall development, both physically and mentally.
Provides sufficient energy and strength to maintain daily activities and quality of life.
Strengthens the immune system to help fight infections.
Enhances overall well-being, making it easier for children to cope with treatment.
For optimal nutrition, children must consume adequate calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals to support their growth and recovery.
However, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery may cause side effects like loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and mouth sores, leading to a reduced intake of essential nutrients.
*The above information has been taken from theCHOC Parent Handbook
Eat the Rainbow
Caro van Rooy, Registered Dietitian – Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
We often hear the phrase “eat the rainbow” to encourage a variety of fruits and vegetables, but what if eating becomes a challenge? Many children undergoing cancer treatment experience taste changes, sore mouths, and reduced appetite, making it difficult to maintain a balanced diet.
One crucial but often overlooked nutrient is protein. While medical treatments play a fundamental role in battling cancer, nutrition is an essential part of holistic care.
Research shows that during treatment, children experience a reduction in lean body mass (muscle) and an increase in fat mass.
A decrease in lean body mass can lead to treatment toxicity, longer hospital stays, and a lower quality of life. Due to changes in metabolism and reduced physical activity, children often crave salty, refined carbohydrate-rich foods while avoiding protein sources like meat, further contributing to malnutrition.
The Role of Protein in Recovery
1. Protein and the Immune System
Protein provides energy and aids in cell repair. It plays a crucial role in developing immune cells, including white blood cells and antibodies, which help fight infections and reduce complications during treatment.
2. Protein and Healing
Cancer treatments can damage healthy cells and tissues. Protein is essential for repairing this damage, promoting faster recovery, and aiding in wound healing—especially for children undergoing surgery. Maintaining muscle mass during prolonged hospital stays also ensures strength, mobility, and overall well-being.
3. Protein and Malnutrition Prevention
Cancer and its treatments can lead to appetite loss, nausea, and other symptoms that affect overall food intake, increasing the risk of weight loss and developmental delays. Adequate protein consumption helps sustain growth and prevent malnutrition.
Sources of Protein
Protein comes from both animal and plant sources:
Animal protein: Chicken, beef, pork, fish, eggs, and dairy.
Plant protein: Lentils, beans, and grains like quinoa.
Supplements: Protein shakes or powders may be recommended under a dietitian’s guidance.
How Much Protein is Enough?
A balanced meal should include protein in at least a quarter of the plate. Here is an example meal plan:
Oats with milk, peanut butter, and banana
Snack
Yogurt with fruit
Lunch
French toast (bread soaked in eggs and milk)
Snack
Glass of milk and popcorn
Supper
Sardines with lentils, sweet potato wedges, and spinach
Balance is Key
Nutrition is not just about eating but about supporting the body’s healing and growth. All food groups—proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fruits, and vegetables—play a fundamental role in overall well-being. Before eliminating any food group, consult a dietitian. With proper nutrition, children will have more energy, better tolerance to treatment, and an improved quality of life.
So yes, eat the rainbow, but remember to include protein in every meal to support healing, immunity, and growth.
Written by
Caro van Rooy
A Journey of Strength
How CHOC Provides Hope and Support
*Zandile, a 14-year-old girl diagnosed with metastatic dysgerminoma undergoing treatment at Pietersburg Hospital. She lives with her uncle, his wife, her grandmother, and two young cousins.
She is receiving treatment at Pietersburg Hospital, during treatment when she can go home, she relies on hospital transport to reach the nearest healthcare facility. From there, she still needs to travel approximately 40 kilometers to get home. Thankfully, CHOC’s transport fund ensures she never misses an appointment, providing the necessary support for her to continue her treatment since her diagnosis in July 2024.
Good nutrition is crucial for cancer patients. While the hospital provides nutritious meals during their stay, maintaining a balanced diet at home can be challenging for many families.
CHOC recognises this need and provides food parcels to ensure patients continue receiving proper nutrition after discharge.
For this young girl, the food parcels brings comfort and security—she particularly loves instant noodles and is always excited to collect her package, knowing she will have something to eat at home.
Adjusting to the hospital environment and expressing her emotions was challenging for her as a teenager, especially since it was her first hospital admission. However, the psychosocial support provided from the CHOC social worker made a significant difference. With this support, she learned coping strategies to manage pain during medical procedures and found reassurance throughout her hospital stay.
CHOC’s holistic approach—ensuring access to treatment, nutrition, and emotional well-being—has played a vital role in her journey, allowing her to focus on healing and recovery.
If you know of a child or family diagnosed with childhood cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder and needs help, please refer them here.
*Names changes for privacy reasons.
Fueling Growth
This is CHOC’s Impact for our past financial year July 2023- June 2024
Did you know CHOC sells a variety of merchandise, including lunch bags? Get yours on sale now here
Home Sweet Holidays
Bringing Kids Home for the Holidays
The holiday season is all about warmth, joy, and togetherness—and we believe every child and teenager deserves to experience that magic. That’s why our “Home Sweet Holiday” campaign is on a mission to reunite children and teenagers who have been diagnosed with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders with their families.
We’re making holiday homecomings happen!
With your support, we can ensure these kids and teens can go home to celebrate with their loved ones—without missing the vital treatments they need.
How You Can Help Spread the Holiday Magic:
Give the Gift of Home – Donate to help cover travel expenses for these children and their families. Every rand brings them closer to a hug from mom or a game night with siblings!
Be a Holiday Cheerleader – Share our campaign far and wide! A single social media post could lead to a donation that makes a world of difference.
Corporate Elves Welcome! – Businesses can spread the holiday spirit by sponsoring travel costs, matching donations, or partnering with us to make a bigger impact.
The Joy Your Support Brings:
Children and teens get to experience the magic of the holidays at home, surrounded by love.
Families create beautiful, lasting memories together.
Children and teens continue receiving the essential medical care they need—without missing out on precious time with family.
This holiday season let’s make memories happen and create moments that truly matter. Join us in bringing hope, hugs, and holiday cheer to those who need it most!
Click on the image below and donate now and be the reason a child gets a “Home Sweet Holiday” this year!
CHOC’s Awareness Training and Education Update
Making an impact in our community
The CHOC Childhood Cancer Awareness Training and Education Programme continues to make a significant impact, with notable activities throughout March.
One of the highlights has been the successful development of the childhood cancer addendum to the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) manual—a globally recognised strategy by the WHO and UNICEF to improve child healthcare. This addendum, developed in collaboration with CHOC, the Gauteng Department of Health IMCI specialists, and Prof. Gita Naidu (SAAPHO), has been well received and has led to an increase in training requests. This is a major step in raising awareness about childhood cancer and equipping healthcare workers with essential knowledge.
North West Training
Our Awareness, Training, and Education (ATE) department conducted a training drive in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, North West Province, where professional nurses, community health workers, and doctors received specialised training.
Simultaneously, our community trainers in Gauteng conducted training sessions for IMCI nurses at Chiawelo Clinic in Soweto and Leratong Hospital in the West Rand.
On March 18, CHOC Community Trainer Sr. Brenda Herbert presented on the Wits MedzTalkz Webinar, covering the Early Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer and Red Flags for Neurological Disorders. Over 900 participants joined the session, which is now available for on-demand viewing at www.medzatalkz.com.
On March 19, CHOC reached the Alexandra Township community through AlexFM, the area’s most popular community radio station.
The interview highlighted CHOC’s programmes and the Siluan Early Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer, ensuring vital information reached those who need it most.
To read about the Early Warning Signs of Childhood Cancer, please click here.
Collaborations for Greater Impact
We continue to collaborate with DKMS-Africa, the City of Joburg, and various community-based organisations during key events in Soweto to expand awareness and support for childhood cancer initiatives.
Our mailing address is:
CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA
45 Homestead Road
The Avenues Office Park
Syringa Building
Rivonia
2128
Supporting CHOC is just a click away!
Every donation, big or small, makes a direct impact.
Scan the code above and help bring hope to those who need it most.
By continuing to browse or by clicking “Accept”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance your site experience and for analytical purposes. To learn more about how we use the cookies, please see our cookie policy.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
