Breast Cancer Patients' Preferred Source and Timing of Nutrition Information

It is important that breast cancer patients know where they can access evidence-based nutrition information because misinformation may lead to confusion for patients regarding dietary requirements, as well as potentially causing harm to health. There are gaps in knowledge about where and when patients seek nutrition information. Our exploratory study used telephone interviews to investigate where patients with breast cancer obtained nutrition information pre and postdiagnosis, and their preferred sources and timing for receiving nutrition information. We interviewed 29 women diagnosed with breast cancer who had attended the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta. The structured interview included 13 closed-ended questions and 1 open-ended question. Interviews revealed that motives for seeking nutrition information changed between pre and postdiagnosis, but the sources did not. The majority of participants did not access a registered dietitian (RD) postdiagnosis but did specify that meeting with a RD would be their preferred source of information. Responses varied for the preferred sources and timing of nutrition information provision. Our study suggests that further research is necessary to know how to best meet the nutrition information needs of patients diagnosed with breast cancer.