Living with AML
Recent advances in treatment and scientific research are giving patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) longer lives and better outcomes. However, the journey from diagnosis to treatment and beyond can be overwhelming. This guide is designed to help you manage life before, during, and after treatment, offering coping strategies and lifestyle tips to improve your quality of life.
Understanding Your Diagnosis
After an AML diagnosis, it’s essential to take proactive steps to manage your treatment and recovery. Learning about your condition, treatment options, and expected outcomes can help ease anxiety and empower you to make informed decisions about your care. Building a strong support network of friends, family, and healthcare providers is also helpful.
Dietary Considerations for AML Patients
Maintaining a strong immune system is crucial when living with AML, especially during treatment. Chemotherapy and the disease can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections, particularly foodborne pathogens. Following food safety guidelines can help reduce the risk of illness.
Food Safety Tips:
- Avoid raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs. Ensure all meat is well-cooked.
- Steer clear of foods with raw eggs, like cookie dough or homemade mayonnaise.
- Stick to pasteurized beverages and dairy products; avoid unpasteurized juices, milk, cheese, and yogurt.
- Avoid soft, mold-ripened cheeses like brie, camembert, and blue-veined varieties.
- Skip salad bars and buffets to minimize contamination risks.
- Wash fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
- Drink filtered, boiled, or bottled water. Avoid untreated well water.
- Practice regular handwashing and keep food preparation surfaces clean.
- Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
Nutrition Tips:
Eating a well-balanced diet can help boost your immune system, improve your mood, and manage the side effects of treatment. Here are some guidelines:
Consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Limit your intake of red, grilled, or processed meats.
Increase your fiber intake to support digestion.
Maintain a healthy weight and engage in regular exercise (aim for 150 minutes per week, including strength training).
Limit alcohol consumption to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 for men.
If smoking, consider quitting to enhance your overall health and recovery.
Coping With Treatment Side Effects
AML treatment can cause various side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, mouth sores, and changes in taste. These side effects can make it difficult to eat, but there are ways to ensure you maintain proper nutrition:
- Discuss with your healthcare team the possibility of adding multivitamins or nutritional supplements.
- If mouth sores develop, try blending food for easier consumption, and keep your mouth moist with smoothies or juices.
- Opt for smaller, more frequent meals rather than 3 large meals per day.
- If water tastes unpleasant, add cut fruits or drink other beverages like sports drinks, milk, or tea.
- For sore mouths, avoid acidic and spicy foods until the soreness subsides.
- Experiment with spices and herbs to add flavor if food starts to taste bland.
- If certain foods, like meat, become unappealing, switch to alternative protein sources like eggs, fish, tofu, or protein shakes.
Figure 2. Tips for Managing Nausea and Vomiting
Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your overall health. Smoking increases your risk for cancer recurrence and other serious health conditions, such as heart disease. While quitting is not easy, the health benefits are enormous:
1 year after quitting: Your risk of heart disease is cut in half.
5 years after quitting: Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and bladder is halved, and your stroke risk equals that of a nonsmoker.
10 years after quitting: Your risk of lung cancer is halved.
15 years after quitting: Your heart disease risk matches that of a nonsmoker.
Tips for Quitting Smoking:
- Set a quit date and plan ahead. Avoid triggers that make you want to smoke.
- Talk to your doctor about nicotine replacement therapies like patches, gum, or lozenges. Prescription medications such as varenicline or bupropion may also help.
- Create a support system. Inform friends and family of your plan to quit and ask for their help to keep you accountable.
- Manage cravings by delaying smoking for 10 minutes and finding alternative distractions like breathing exercises or drinking water.
By following these guidelines, you can enhance your quality of life while managing AML. Focus on creating a healthy, balanced lifestyle, and lean on your support network to help you navigate challenges during treatment. Remember to stay proactive, ask questions, and seek help when needed.
References
American Cancer Society. Eating Well After Treatment. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/be-healthy-after-treatment/eating-well-after-treatment-ends.html
American Cancer Society. How to Quit Using Tobacco. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/guide-quitting-smoking.html
American Lung Association. Benefits of Quitting. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/i-want-to-quit/benefits-of-quitting
FoodDocs. Food Safety Rules and Tips. November 18, 2022. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.fooddocs.com/post/food-safety-rules-and-tips
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.lls.org/managing-your-cancer/diet-guidelines-for-immunosuppressed-patients
Rupa Health. Nutritional Management of Side Effects in Cancer Treatment. Updated September 18, 2024. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.rupahealth.com/post/nutritional-management-of-side-effects-in-cancer-treatment
