Abstract
The purpose of this research was to explore the nutrition practices among post-treatment cancer survivors across Ireland. Cancer survivors aged 18+ years living across Ireland, who were not palliative and had completed active cancer treatment at least six months previous, were recruited to complete an online survey assessing dietary quality, food choice and satisfaction with food-related life as well as clinical and nutrition status. It was circulated by cancer support networks and on social media. Descriptive statistics are presented. The cohort (n = 170) was predominantly female (85.9%) and had breast cancer (64.7%). Mean age was 51.5 ± 10.9 years and 42.7% of the cohort were >five years post-treatment. Only 20% and 12% of the cohort had been assessed by a dietitian during and post-treatment, respectively. The mean dietary quality score was 10.3 ± 1.7, which was measured by the Leeds short-form food frequency questionnaire (SFFFQ). Using a 5-point Likert scale, the median satisfaction with food-related life score was 19 (3.3), which evaluates cognitive judgements on the person’s food-related life. The food choice questionnaire (FCQ) assesses the relative importance of a range of factors related to dietary choice to individuals. The primary determinant of food choice in this cohort was the natural content (31.7%) followed by health (24.7%). Vitamin and mineral supplement use was reported by 69.8% of the cohort; the most consumed was Vitamin D. Four themes emerged from an optional open-ended question: awareness of nutritional importance; desire for specific nutritional advice and dietetic referral; cancer and treatment nutrition impacts were highlighted; as well as struggles with weight gain. This research provides useful insight into the nutrition practices of Irish cancer survivors. A desire and need for individualised and specific advice are evident.
Highlights
IntroductionIn Ireland, there are more than 200,000 individuals living with or beyond cancer, equating to almost 4% of the total population [1]
The strategy emphasizes how cancer survivorship is a distinct phase of the cancer journey and how the needs of cancer survivors have not been prioritised to date
Dietary quality using this tool has not been assessed in cancer survivors, but it has been applied to the general population; for example, a large UK-based study had mean dietary quality of 11.4 ± 1.6, where a cut off score of 12 was applied for a healthy diet quality [24]
Summary
In Ireland, there are more than 200,000 individuals living with or beyond cancer, equating to almost 4% of the total population [1]. The need to recognise the individual and distinct needs of cancer survivors throughout Ireland has been highlighted by the government through the development of the National Cancer Strategy 2017–2026 [2]. The definition from this strategy will be utilized, where “a cancer survivor is a person with any type of cancer who has undergone treatment, completed the intervention and is living” [2]. The strategy emphasizes how cancer survivorship is a distinct phase of the cancer journey and how the needs of cancer survivors have not been prioritised to date. Survivorship care is increasingly becoming a national priority; these publications highlight several unmet needs of cancer survivors and confirm the lack of nutritional data in this population
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