Nutrition Nutrition plays an important role in the treatment and recovery of patients with cancer. Research indicates that those patients who eat well and maintain their weight often tolerate treatment side effects better and recover more quickly than those who do not. Following a well-balanced and healthy diet helps patients to: Maintain strength, allowing patients to continue their normal activities Improve immune function to fight infection Maintain body weight and muscle mass Promote healing The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing offers a variety of professional and community education programs designed to teach good nutrition principles for cancer patients. Please visit our Events Calendar for information about upcoming programs, such as our Food For Life cooking classes!