Abstract 4294
Background
The attitudes of cancer patients towards nutrition and nutrition care has never been captured in Ireland. An awareness of the nutritional needs and attitudes of cancer patients along with a review of their experiences would help inform service planning.
Methods
In September 2018, a national survey was conducted to examine patient attitudes towards nutrition and access to dietetic services during their cancer journey. Patients diagnosed or treated in Ireland since 2015 were asked to complete a 25-item survey (available online and at 20 hospitals across Ireland).
Results
In total, 1085 valid responses were received (63% female, mean age 58 years). All major cancer groups were represented & 33% had metastatic disease. Overall, 45% reported suffering from a diet-related problem and 44% reported weight loss since diagnosis. Muscle loss was noted by 52%. Amongst weight losers, 42% were ‘unhappy/worried’ while 27% reported being ‘delighted/happy’. Although 80% are ‘always/usually’ weighed in clinic, just 43% reported that they are ‘always/usually’ asked about diet. Nutrition was rated ‘very/extremely’ important by 89% of respondents. Only 39% had received dietary advice from a dietitian and 74% rated this advice as ‘very/extremely’ helpful. Overall, 57% of those who did not see an RD said they would have liked more support with diet. While 58% reported trying general healthy eating as a result of their diagnosis, 38% and 32% admitted trying at least one alternative dietary strategy or avoiding a specific food due to their diagnosis, respectively.
Conclusions
While nutrition is highly important to Irish cancer patients, fewer than half surveyed had accessed a dietitian. Weight and muscle loss are common, but their significance is not always understood by patients. Almost half used alternative dietary strategies, highlighting the need to screen oncology patients for potentially restrictive diet or supplement use to guide appropriate referrals and education.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
IrSPEN.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
1269 - One-year follow-up results of eribulin for soft-tissue sarcoma including rare subtypes in a real-world observational study in Japan
Presenter: Shunji Takahashi
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2868 - Prevalence of chemotherapy use and its impact on overall survival in patients with bone- and soft tissue sarcomas -A population-based analysis of 3746 patients
Presenter: Herbert Loong
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3042 - Clinical course and therapeutic management of classical and endemic Kaposi’s Sarcoma (C/E KS)
Presenter: Lina Benajiba
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3141 - The final outcomes of study on combined therapy of adult patients with localized synovial sarcoma
Presenter: Katarzyna Kozak
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5449 - Real-world Outcomes of Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Epithelioid Sarcoma
Presenter: Mrinal Gounder
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4465 - SAKK 57/16 Nab-Paclitaxel And Gemcitabine in soft tissue sarcoma (NAPAGE): results from the phase I part of a phase I/II trial
Presenter: Antonia Digklia
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5013 - Outcome of 98 patients with epithelioid sarcoma treated in curative intent: a retrospective study from the French Sarcoma Group (GSF-GETO)
Presenter: Maud Pedrono
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
5614 - Comparison of filgrastim and pegfilgrastim prophylaxis in sarcoma patients receiving highly myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
Presenter: Paolo Tarantino
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1033 - Access to clinical trials for soft tissue sarcoma patients in Western and Eastern Europe
Presenter: Vasilii Ostafiichuk
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
4094 - Treatment outcomes for adult patients with localized osteosarcoma treated with chemotherapy without methotrexate
Presenter: Marília Silva
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract