Does a Cancer Patient Fast?
Is it Possible for a Cancer Patient to Fast?
Fasting is one of the basic acts of worship, and it is one of the pillars of Islam that everyone is keen to perform in order to seek the pleasure of God, and to bring him closer to Him, and a desire to enjoy the spirituality of the holy month, and its profound effects on the soul and body. All of these things make patients wonder about fasting, although they have a license not fasting due to illness.
Cancer and Fasting
It is known that there are exceptions to a number of pathological conditions that may hinder a person from fasting in a healthy way. Among these cases, a cancer patient who may face special challenges comes to make fasting a sensitive subject and requires medical advice and even care.
Is it Possible for a Cancer Patient to Fast?
There are 5 factors that determine the fasting of the cancer patient in Ramadan, as its ability to fast is affected according to the type of cancer, the degree of its spread, the type of treatment, the general condition of the patient, and the possibility of side effects of treatment. Therefore, every patient must consult a specialist and ask him about his health, and the possibility of fasting or not in order to ensure his safety.
When is a Cancer Patient Prevented from Fasting?
In some cases, the cancer patient is prevented from fasting to protect his health, especially if his condition requires continuous medical care or if he suffers from severe symptoms or side effects due to treatment. One of the reasons that may prevent the cancer patient from fasting is that it is not recommended to fast for patients who are exposed to a drop in the blood and who are likely to have complications for the kidneys and liver as soon as the chemotherapy sessions are completed.
Why does the Cancer Patient not Fast when Receiving Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy?
It is not possible for a patient to fast when receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy, because fasting increases the risk of poisoning from treatment and reduces its effectiveness. It may cause muscle weakness and malnutrition, which may lead to the lives of a cancer patient, and therefore only a patient with cancer who is stable and takes hormonal pills, fasting taking into account the recommended recommendations from the doctor.
When is a Cancer Patient to Fast?
Patients with cancer who receive a directed or hormonal treatment, which is tablets taken in the mouth, can fast after consulting the doctor who follows the condition, and organizing doses at specific and organized times between breakfast and suhoor in coordination with it, and according to the requirements of his health.
Tips for Cancer Patients in Ramadan
The patients who were allowed to fast by the specialist doctor, and after ensuring that there is no conflict between fasting and their health condition, and those who receive a hormonal treatment directed, adhere to the implementation of the following advice in order to achieve their safety. These tips are:
- Getting all the elements and nutritional components that the body needs for the necessary energy and to compensate for what it loses during fasting, you should eat foods rich in proteins.
- Drinking water frequently to moisturize the body and protect it from dehydration.
- Listening to the body, if the patient feels a deterioration in his health or severe fatigue, he must finish fasting immediately, and consult a doctor to inform the symptoms that forced him to break the fast to check on him.
The Bottom Line:
The fasting of a cancer patient depends on the stability of his health condition, and the quality of the treatments he undergoes, such as taking hormonal treatments, in this case he is allowed to fast after consulting a doctor, and coordinating with him regarding taking the drug between breakfast and suhoor. While the cancer patient is prevented from fasting in the event of chemotherapy and radiation, and when the doctor decides to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can a cancer patient fast in Ramadan?
- It depends on the stability of his health condition and the quality of treatment he receives.
- Is it possible for a cancer patient to fast while receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy?
- No, it is not recommended due to the risk of poisoning from treatment and reduced effectiveness.
- What are the tips for cancer patients in Ramadan?
- Getting all necessary nutrients, drinking water frequently, and listening to the body’s needs.