After Cancer, Survivors Do Not Choose Healthy Foods: What’s Going On?

Cancer survivors have significantly elevated risks of a variety of health problems, and nutrition is among the few modifiable behaviors that can prevent or delay their onset.

People who haven’t had cancer might assume that those who have would take the opportunity to embrace their second chance and live as healthily as possible.

Results from over 1,500 USA adult cancer survivors showed that they were less likely than others who had never had cancer to adhere to national dietary guidelines-failing to consoume the recommended daily amounts of vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium and potassium, according to Health Day. Zhang and colleagues estimated diet quality by calculating scores on the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010), which measures adherence to the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Cancer survivors, however, received an average score of 47.2.

The mean HEI-2010 score for the cancer survivors was 47.2 ± 0.5 out of 100 compared with 48.3 ± 0.4 in the noncancer group (P=0.03).

Compared with individuals with no history of cancer, cancer survivors consumed less fiber and more empty calories, such as those from solid fats or added sugars.

While most cancer survivors in the United States are motivated to seek information about food choices and dietary changes to improve their health, a new study comparing their dietary patterns to federal guidelines indicates that they often fall short.

Still, Dr. Stephen Freedland notes that the dietary differences were actually not that large between cancer survivors and other people.

Because of advances in cancer screening and treatment, cancer mortality rates are on the decline and cancer survivors are living longer, the investigators said.

Among those who once had cancer, older people were found to have a healthier diet than younger people, and those who had a college education had a significantly more healthy diet than those who were less educated. A nutritious diet, on the other hand, could help cancer survivors reduce their risk of complications and help them build up their strength. “The poorer diets in cancer survivors may be due to various factors”, Zhang told MedPage Today via email.

She emphasizes there is a tremendous need for cancer survivors to pay attention to what they are eating, and focus on what she calls “real foods” – fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats.

She also noted that cancer treatments can cause people to have specific food cravings, or change the way food tastes. “Oncology care providers can play critical roles in reinforcing the importance of a healthful diet, and can refer patients to registered dieticians who are experts in oncology care or to other reputable sources in order to improve survivors’ overall health”.

In the meantime, Zhang hopes her study will help healthcare professionals make sure that nutrition is part of the conversation, not just for those who have been diagnosed with cancer but for those who have kicked it.