The Cancer Center Kitchen Therapy dietitians are gearing up for another interactive televideo (ITV) presentation at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center. The program is designed to help patients whose appetites are affected by cancer treatments.    
The event is scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 in the basement-level St. Dominic Room. It is free and open to the public.
Dana Foss of Great Bend, who leads the Touched by Cancer support group at St. Rose’s Heartland Cancer Center, encourages patients and their families to participate.
“I know a cancer diagnosis and treatment can play real tricks on your appetite,” said Foss, who is a 21-year cancer survivor. “You are shocked when your favorite foods don’t taste the same. And even if you feel like cooking, the aromas don’t help.
“Healthy snacks also are important because sometimes a patient cannot tolerate a full meal,” Foss added. “Every person is different and it takes patience to find foods that are appealing. Kitchen Therapy can help.”
The Midwest Cancer Alliance (MCA), which is the outreach arm of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, is sponsoring this series of presentations. St. Rose is an MCA member.
Kitchen Therapy ITV sessions are scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month through October. A featured recipe this month is curried lentils and cauliflower.
St. Rose is part of Centura Health, which connects individuals and families across western Kansas and Colorado with more than 6,000 physicians, 15 hospitals, seven senior-living communities, physician practices and clinics, and home-care and hospice services.