A 2023 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that counties with a higher percentage of food insecurity also experienced more cancer cases. Specifically, increased food insecurity significantly affected lung cancer and colorectal cancer rates. These areas also often have less access to healthcare and worse disease outcomes.
What is food insecurity, and what does our practice do to help patients with this challenge?
What Is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity means not having steady access to food, and unfortunately, it is something that affects more cancer patients than it should. Surveys conducted in the United States show that up to 55% of cancer patients in some areas experience food insecurity.
Food insecurity is caused by limited access to healthy foods close to home, a lack of transportation to grocery stores, or financial issues that make it difficult to buy food.
For cancer patients, food insecurity can lead to various challenges and serious consequences, as a well-balanced diet impacts overall treatment outcomes. For those who don’t have cancer, food insecurity can increase the risk of developing cancer and other illnesses in the future.
How Food Insecurity Negatively Impacts Cancer Patients
Maintaining a healthy diet is very important when dealing with cancer. While some cancer patients may have access to nutritious food, others struggle to get the right foods they need for their health during and after treatment. This lack of access can negatively affect treatment outcomes and recovery.
Difficulty Sticking with a Cancer Care Treatment Plan
Food insecurity can make it extremely difficult, or even impossible, for some patients to follow their cancer treatment plans. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that cancer patients who struggled to afford food were less likely to focus on their treatment. Because of this, some patients skipped, delayed, or changed their medications to stay financially afloat.
Emotional stress is another factor that can make following through with treatment challenging. The emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis is already significant, leading to feelings of anxiety and depression. These emotions may intensify when patients are also dealing with food insecurity.
Additionally, not having access to the right foods increases the risk of health problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. These common health issues, in combination with cancer, can make getting through cancer treatment more difficult.
Dealing With Side Effects is More Challenging
A balanced diet and healthy food choices can help ease the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. If you're dealing with weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, or other issues, it's important to choose the right foods and prepare them properly. Patients with limited access to food or specific preparation methods often face more difficulty managing these side effects.
Challenges in Staying Healthy After Treatment
Getting enough nutrition is essential for staying healthy after cancer treatment. However, many cancer survivors experience financial difficulties that prevent them from obtaining the necessary food to maintain a healthy diet. Research has shown that factors such as race, ethnicity, income, and disabilities can contribute to ongoing food insecurity among some cancer patients.
Learn more about nutrition for cancer survivors.
Addressing Food Insecurity Among Our Cancer Patients
Some patients may hesitate to share their nutritional struggles because they feel embarrassed or ashamed or fear being judged. They might avoid talking about what they eat or downplay any symptoms they are experiencing. That’s why the cancer care team at Virginia Oncology Associates monitors their patients closely for signs of food insecurity.
If a patient appears to be struggling to afford food and cancer treatment, we can ask some simple questions to open a conversation. Ultimately, this allows the care team to better understand how to support their patient during this time. This might include connecting patients with appropriate professionals, such as:
- Patient Navigation Coordinators/Social Workers: These professionals can connect patients to food banks, assistance programs, and help them sign up for federal benefit programs (SNAP), to help ease some of the financial burden of accessing nutritious food.
- Dietitians: These experts work with patients to create meal plans that address their nutritional needs. Dietitians are trained to help patients incorporate healthy choices to support recovery and improve outcomes.
- Counselors: Licensed mental health professionals provide emotional and mental support throughout a patient's cancer journey. They can help identify needs and connect patients with the necessary resources.
Ensuring patients have the support they need is an integral part of cancer treatment and survivorship care.
Related Reading: Nutrition Tips for Cancer Patients
Comprehensive Cancer Care at Virginia Oncology Associates
At Virginia Oncology Associates, we are dedicated to creating personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs. We understand the importance of proper nutrition during and after cancer treatment and are here to provide the necessary support and resources throughout your cancer journey. This includes access to our nutrition counseling experts and dietitians. Each of our locations also has a Patient Benefits Representative (PBR) available to provide financial guidance and answer any questions you may have.
We have also partnered with Findhelp, one of the largest databases of community-based organizations. Findhelp connects people with essential resources, including food pantries, transportation to appointments, financial assistance, childcare, and more. You can search for support in your community by visiting usoncology.findhelp.com.
Our cancer centers are located throughout Virginia and Eastern North Carolina, including Chesapeake, Elizabeth City, Newport News, Norfolk, Suffolk (with locations at Obici and Harbour View), Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.
