Experts discuss raw food safety for cancer patients undergoing chemo

During chemotherapy, many people think that raw foods, such as raw fish, Korean-style raw beef, and cold raw fish soup, should be avoided because cancer patients' immune systems are compromised.

However, raw food is not contraindicated for all patients during chemotherapy.

“I don't think raw food is bad,” said Professor Kim Il-hwan of the Department of Hemato-oncology at Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital on the YouTube channel of the Korean Society of Medical Oncology (KSMO), KSMO TV. “The important thing is to consider the patient's immune status.”

It's not just the immune status of the cancer patient but also the type of cancer and the type of chemotherapy they are receiving.

“Depending on the type of cancer, and depending on the chemotherapy you are taking, you may be at risk of infection from raw foods if your white blood cells drop very low,” Professor Kim said, explaining that cancer patients should be careful about eating raw foods in these cases.

Professor Lim Hyeon-su of the Department of Hematology and Oncology at Ulsan University Hospital also gave advice regarding dietary choices.

“During chemotherapy, mucositis and the digestive system become very weak, so patients should avoid spicy, salty, and irritating foods,” Professor Lim said. “In the case of gastrointestinal, esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer, it is necessary to be very careful about food intake if there are still lesions.”

Professor Kim said, “If the cancer does not affect digestive organs, the patient’s white blood cell count is not low due to chemotherapy, and their immune system is strong enough, raw food can be absorbed as nutrients instead of becoming harmful. It all depends on what kind of disease you have, what kind of treatment you're undergoing, and your immune status and white blood cell levels.”

While cancer specialists don't actively recommend raw foods, including raw fish, Korean-style raw beef, and cold raw fish soup, to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, they sometimes allow patients to eat these foods, depending on their overall condition.

“Appetite drops sharply, and if patients eat only strictly selected food, they take fewer calories, and their stamina also drops,” said Professor Huh Seok-jae of the Department of Hematology-Oncology at Dong-A University Hospital. “I want to emphasize that patients should eat at least one food that they can find appetizing instead of eating selectively and suffering drops in physical strength.”

“Nutritionally, it's better to get nutrients through healthier cooking methods, such as boiling or steaming, rather than frying, baking, or cooking with fat, as much as possible, and we recommend that,” Professor Huh said. “If it's appetizing, even raw, you should eat it cautiously, so we recommend you eat a little freely.”

Professor Lim agreed.

“No specific foods should be avoided or eaten during chemotherapy. It is most important to consume a balanced diet of various nutrients to replenish calories and maintain physical strength,” Lim said. “However, it is important to consult with your doctor because each patient has different side effects and disease conditions.”