Diet And Weight Management By People With Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer During Chemotherapy: Mixed Methods Research

Aim:To investigate self-management of dietary intake by colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.Methods:A questionnaire was administered to 92 patients with nonmetastatic colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy treatment at a UK cancer center in 2018-19. A maximum variation sample of 20 patients who completed the questionnaire were interviewed.Results:More than three in five patients were at nutritional risk but fewer than one in five were concerned about dietary intake or weight. Self-management of diet and weight was inconsistent with achieving the nutritional intake recommended by clinical guidelines on nutrition in cancer.Conclusion:There is potential for psychoeducation to support change in self-management of nutritional risk, with implications for better treatment tolerance and outcomes including quality of life.