Cancer Care and Nutrition Counseling: The Role of the Oncologist in Patient Learning and Behavior Change.

Background: Cancer remains a leading chronic disease in the United States with a high burden of disease and challenging treatment protocol. Nutrition is critically linked to long-term health outcomes and recovery rates among cancer patients, but there remains a persistent gap in clinician training regarding functional nutrition. This study interviews patients to understand their experiences of nutrition support they received while in cancer treatment.

Objectives: Understand patient experiences and needs regarding cancer treatment (i.e., surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and/or immunotherapy) and available nutrition counseling.

Methods: This was a multi-phase study incorporating survey data (n = 50) and follow-up, semi-structured interviews (n = 20) of cancer patients in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Interview participants included those undergoing active cancer treatment (n = 7) and those in remission at the time of contact (n = 13). Participants shared their experiences receiving treatment and their perspectives regarding the quality of care they received in outpatient oncology clinics. Central to this study was a discussion regarding the quality of nutrition counseling they received while in treatment.

Results: Five themes emerged through data collection and analysis: (1) patients need additional education regarding nutrition, (2) personalized resources are not readily available, (3) perceptions from patients that oncologists receive little formal nutrition training related to cancer, (4) oncologists' attitude toward nutrition may influence patient care, and (5) patients seek nutrition information through informal sources. Commonly, patients had little access to licensed dieticians or other professionals capable of providing lifestyle recommendations.

Conclusions: The results of this study are being used to develop a clinician toolbox of resources, recommendations, and services that can be shared with patients seeking additional information regarding nutrition and diet change.