Anorexia
Quality of Life

Maintaining good nutrition has been shown to improve both quality of life and life expectancy. Appetite, ability to carry on daily activities, self-image, control, and overall aspects of satisfaction are the elements that are most often linked with quality of life by patients and their families. Eating includes more than placing nutrients in the body. Most societies attach great significance to eating. Eating is a social activity. Food is associated with nurturing. Socialization and cultural beliefs on at least a subconscious level tell people that they must eat, including people with cancer who may not feel like eating. Being able to eat often gives a boost to morale. The rites and celebrations of families provide bonding and sharing and include food. Decreased intake of food and fluids can be seen as a sign of a deteriorating condition, so families and caregivers sometimes feel pressure to "make" the person with cancer eat. Measures that increase the quantity and quality of nutrition can bring significant benefit to quality of life that patients and families living with cancer experience.