Patient Guides

Constipation

Learn about constipation in people with cancer in this guide from The ONE Group (Oncology – Nutrition – Exercise) at Penn State College of Medicine.

What you should know

Constipation and cancer

Constipation can result from some cancer treatments and pain medications.Constipation also can happen if you are not eating enough fiber or drinking enough fluids.Relying on tube feedings, and physical inactivity for extended periods of time, also can cause constipation.

What you can do: Improving your eating behavior

Tips to reduce constipation

• Try to eat at the same times each day.

• Eat a large breakfast, including a hot drink and high-fiber foods such as hot or cold cereal, whole-wheat toast and fruit.

• Drink more liquids, aiming for at least eight 8-ounce glasses a day. Liquids can help keep stools soft. Good choices include water, prune juice, warm juices, decaffeinated teas and hot lemonade. A hot beverage may help to stimulate a bowel movement.

• To help lessen the amount of air you swallow while eating, try not to talk much at meals, and don’t use straws to drink. Avoid chewing gum and carbonated drinks.

If gas becomes a problem, limit these drinks and foods that can cause it

• Apples (raw)

• Apple juice

• Asparagus

• Avocado

• Beans and peas (dried)

• Beer

• Broccoli

• Brussels sprouts

• Cabbage

• Cauliflower

• Collards

• Corn

• Cucumbers

• Eggs

• Fish

• Kohlrabi

• Lentils

• Melons

• Milk

• Mushrooms

• Mustard

• Nuts

• Onions

• Leeks

• Scallions

• Peppers

• Pickles

• Radishes

• Rutabaga

• Sauerkraut

• Spicy foods

• Spinach

• String beans

• Strong cheese

• Sweet potatoes

• Turnip greens

Gas also might be caused by

• Chewing gum

• Not taking in enough fluids

• Carbonated or fizzy drinks

• Not exercising

• Chewing with your mouth open

• Eating a lot of high-fiber foods

• Eating foods and candies, chewing gum and/or drinks with sugar alcohols, such as maltitol, mannitol and xylitol (these products are often labeled “sugar free” or “no sugar added”)

Foods to try

High-fiber vegetables like broccoli, corn, beans, cabbage, cauliflower and peas and whole-grain breads.

Recipes

Green Smoothie

Ingredients:
2 cups raw spinach
1 cup prune juice
1 cup chopped cucumberInstructions:
Blend all ingredients together.

Berry Spinach Smoothie

Ingredients:
2 cups raspberries, strawberries or blackberries (fresh or frozen)
3 cups spinach
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 banana (fresh or frozen)
1 cup apple juice
1 handful of iceInstructions:
Put berries and spinach in the blender first, then the rest of the ingredients, and blend.

Other practical tips

Consider a fiber supplement or over-the-counter medications such as stool softeners or laxatives if necessary. Always speak with your health practitioner first for specific guidance. Also remember to drink plenty of fluids with such fiber supplements.

Exercise and physical activity

Increase your physical activity, aiming for a walk or other limited exercise every day.

References

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

• American Cancer Society

• American Institute for Cancer Research

• National Cancer Institute