Investigating the dietary knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of Australian patients with cancer

There is evidence linking diet to the risk of developing cancer and preventing recurrence, but the therapeutic value of food in treating cancer remains unclear. Therefore, guidelines for well-nourished patients with cancer are based on general healthy eating recommendations. This study aims to describe patients' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards the role of diet and cancer.

A cross-sectional survey was undertaken between July 2016 and January 2017. Patients being reviewed by Medical Oncology at a tertiary cancer service were invited to complete a questionnaire.

One hundred and nine patients participated, with 61% receiving curative treatment. Median body mass index was 26.9 kg/m² . A high frequency reported weight change (72%) and dietary modifications (reduction in overall intake; 62%). Patients were more likely to modify their diet if they had experienced weight change [odds ratio (OR): 3.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49-8.63], had malignancy-related anorexia (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.06-5.32), strongly believed that diet contributed to their cancer (OR: 9.09, 95% CI: 2.55-32.44) or felt that nutrition played an important role in treatment (OR: 4.50, 95% CI: 1.95-10.40). Dietary information was largely sought from their hospital dietitian (51%), the Internet (39%), or treating oncologist (35%), of whom 47% and 57% found the information from their hospital dietitian and oncologist helpful, respectively.

Our survey confirms patients place great importance on diet as part of their cancer management. Evidence-based dietetic services currently focus on managing malnutrition during treatment, but this study has identified hospital clinicians are not necessarily providing dietary information to meet patient expectations and thus a potential gap in patient-centred nutrition services for this patient population.