Capitalizing on the “teachable moment” to promote healthy dietary changes among cancer survivors: the perspectives of health care providers

Abstract

Purpose Although cancer is often thought of as a teachable moment, many cancer survivors do not adhere to behavioral recommendations that might improve their health. This study explored healthcare providers’ perspectives on the importance and feasibility of addressing behavior change, specifically healthy diet, with cancer survivors. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 33 healthcare providers who care for posttreatment survivors of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Interviews were analyzed thematically. Results Healthcare providers emphasized the strength of evidence linking diet/obesity to recurrence in their assessment of the importance of promoting dietary change among their survivor patients. Cancer specialists (e.g., oncologists, surgeons) generally brought up dietary change with patients if they considered the evidence to be strong. In contrast, primary care providers viewed health promotion as important for all patients, and reported treating cancer survivor patients the same as others when it came to making dietary recommendations. There was a lack of consensus among providers on the best timing to bring up behavior change. Providers described specific subgroups of patients who they saw as more motivated to make behavior changes, and patient barriers to making dietary changes. Conclusions Healthcare providers can play an important role in promoting healthy diet among cancer survivors. As the evidence base around diet and cancer recurrence/prognosis grows, it is important that this information is communicated to providers. Strategies such as incorporating behavior change messages into survivor care plans may help standardize recommendations to survivors.

Perceptions of Dutch health care professionals on weight gain during chemotherapy in women with breast cancer

“…This confirms the results of previous research of Coa et al [35] involving oncologists and nurses. HCPs also thought the issue concerning weight gain, as a side-effect of CT, was less important than how the cancer patients perceived it to be.…”

Barriers and Facilitators of Healthy Diet and Exercise Among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: Implications for Behavioral Interventions

“…Fifth, consistent with results of prior studies, participants expressed that health behavior intervention programs could be useful at different stages in their cancer journey ranging from during active therapy to immediately after active therapy concluded. 43,48 Overall, the ideas raised by participants in the current study complement prior findings that stress other important aspects of health behavior programs for AYA survivors, such as choice, flexibility, and convenience. 10 Encouragingly, initial health behavior interventions for AYA survivors have shown promise, and AYA survivors express interest in web-based programs.…”

“…Barriers and facilitators identified in other cancer survivor age groups similarly included motivation, disease-specific physical limitations, cost, and health behaviors of other family members. [43][44][45] Particularly unique to AYA populations, participants noted their desire to connect with other AYA survivors around health behaviors. Further, the barriers and facilitators that were identified among AYA survivors are consistent with prior findings that AYA survivors have unmet informational needs, want assistance with healthy lifestyle behaviors, including via peer support, but could experience barriers to engaging in intervention programs.…”

Men’s experience of a guided self-help intervention for hot flushes associated with prostate cancer treatment

“…related to diet, relaxation, and exercise). Although not a direct aim of the MANCAN intervention this outcome is important given the acknowledgment that more interventions are needed to promote heath behaviour change among cancer survivors (Bourke et al 2013;Coa et al 2015). Although the intervention was generally well received some men did reveal a belief that the psychological focus of the intervention might be more applicable to "others" and considered themselves to be different to such men.…”