“What about diet?” A qualitative study of cancer survivors' views on diet and cancer and their sources of information

Abstract

Given the abundance of misreporting about diet and cancer in the media and online, cancer survivors are at risk of misinformation. The aim of this study was to explore cancer survivors' beliefs about diet quality and cancer, the impact on their behaviour and sources of information. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with adult cancer survivors in the United Kingdom who had been diagnosed with any cancer in adulthood and were not currently receiving treatment (n = 19). Interviews were analysed using Thematic Analysis. Emergent themes highlighted that participants were aware of diet affecting risk for the development of cancer, but were less clear about its role in recurrence. Nonetheless, their cancer diagnosis appeared to be a prompt for dietary change; predominantly to promote general health. Changes were generally consistent with healthy eating recommendations, although dietary supplements and other non‐evidence‐based actions were mentioned. Participants reported that they had not generally received professional advice about diet and were keen to know more, but were often unsure about information from other sources. The views of our participants suggest cancer survivors would welcome guidance from health professionals. Advice that provides clear recommendations, and which emphasises the benefits of healthy eating for overall well‐being, may be particularly well‐received.

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of brief, habit-based, lifestyle advice for cancer survivors: exploring behavioural outcomes for the Advancing Survivorship Cancer Outcomes Trial (ASCOT)

“…Previous research suggests that patients do not receive health behaviour advice unless they specifically ask for it,38 and this has been confirmed by clinicians involved in the trial. All participants will be asked at baseline about any other lifestyle programmes they are involved in, and at follow-up they will be asked about any changes to their health or treatment.…”

Exploring cancer survivors' views of health behaviour change: “Where do you start, where do you stop with everything?”

“…In keeping with existing literature that proposes that coming to the end of successful cancer treatment might represent a “teachable moment,” some people reported implementing positive lifestyle changes. Beeken et al noted that behaviour change was often motivated by a desire to remain generally healthy rather than to prevent recurrence. Survivors reported making or attempting some changes after cancer, with diagnosis often serving as an impetus for lifestyle change .…”

“…Many of these issues are barriers to behaviour change across diverse health conditions and could affect any motivational impact of the “teachable moment” prompted by the completion of cancer treatment. In a study about cancer survivors' beliefs about diet quality, responses did not differ based on cancer type, age, or gender . Similar findings were reported in a study on attitudes towards knowledge of and seeking of information on PA .…”

Nutritional screening, assessment and provision of advice for people living with and beyond cancer – a UK survey of clinicians

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Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Southampton SO16 6YD.People diagnosed with cancer often experience nutrition-related problems and they do not receive consistent evidence-based advice (1) . Studies indicate that just 30-60 % of cancer patients who were at risk of malnutrition received nutritional support (2) .

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