A new study of 393 cancer patients found that more than half are not getting enough nutrition, which can make their treatment harder and recovery slower. Cancer and its treatments can make it difficult to eat and digest food properly. Researchers discovered that certain symptoms like nausea, constipation, and eating only soft foods were strongly connected to poor nutrition. The study suggests that hospitals should regularly check cancer patients’ nutrition and provide support to help them eat better. This could help patients feel stronger, handle treatment better, and improve their chances of recovery.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How many cancer patients aren’t getting enough nutrition and what causes this problem
  • Who participated: 393 adult cancer patients at a hospital in Ethiopia, with most having advanced cancer (stages 3 and 4)
  • Key finding: 58% of cancer patients studied were malnourished, and patients with nausea were nearly 11 times more likely to be undernourished
  • What it means for you: If you or a loved one has cancer, nutrition screening should be a regular part of treatment. Addressing eating problems early may help with treatment success and recovery, though individual results vary.

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study, which is like taking a snapshot in time. They interviewed 393 cancer patients over two months (April to June 2023) at a hospital in Ethiopia. Each patient answered questions about their eating habits, symptoms, and health history through face-to-face conversations. The researchers also used a special assessment tool called the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment short form (PG-SGA-SF) to measure nutrition status. This tool asks patients about their weight changes, eating patterns, and symptoms that affect eating. The study used convenient sampling, meaning they included patients who were available during the study period rather than randomly selecting them.

This approach is important because it shows real-world conditions in a hospital setting. By collecting information directly from patients and using a validated nutrition assessment tool, the researchers could identify which factors most strongly predict poor nutrition. Understanding these connections helps doctors know which patients need nutrition support most urgently.

The study’s strengths include a reasonably large sample size (393 patients) and use of a recognized nutrition assessment tool. However, the convenient sampling method means results may not represent all cancer patients everywhere. The study was conducted in one hospital in Ethiopia, so findings may differ in other countries or settings. The cross-sectional design shows associations but cannot prove that one factor directly causes another.

What the Results Show

The study found that 58% of cancer patients were malnourished based on nutrition assessment scores. Additionally, 21% of patients were underweight according to body mass index (BMI) measurements. These numbers are concerning because proper nutrition is essential for cancer patients to tolerate treatment and recover. The researchers identified five main factors strongly linked to undernutrition: having advanced cancer (stages 3-4), eating only soft or liquid foods, poor variety in diet, experiencing nausea, and having constipation. Nausea showed the strongest connection—patients with nausea were about 10.7 times more likely to be undernourished compared to those without nausea. Constipation was also strongly associated, with patients experiencing it being about 6.4 times more likely to be undernourished.

The study found that over 41% of patients reported eating a limited variety of foods, which contributed to poor nutrition. Nearly 78% of patients had advanced-stage cancer (stages 3 and 4), which often makes eating more difficult. These secondary findings help explain why so many cancer patients struggle with nutrition—they face multiple challenges simultaneously, including advanced disease, troublesome symptoms, and limited food choices.

Previous research has shown that malnutrition is common in cancer patients, but this study provides specific numbers and identifies the strongest risk factors. The findings align with existing knowledge that cancer symptoms like nausea and constipation interfere with eating. This study emphasizes that nutrition problems are not just about willpower or appetite—they’re connected to specific medical symptoms that need treatment.

The study was conducted in one hospital in Ethiopia, so results may not apply to all cancer patients worldwide. The convenient sampling method means the group studied might not represent all cancer patients at that hospital. The study shows which factors are associated with poor nutrition but cannot prove that one factor directly causes another. Additionally, the study was conducted over just two months, so it doesn’t show how nutrition status changes over longer periods.

The Bottom Line

Cancer patients should have their nutrition status checked regularly as part of their cancer care (strong evidence). Doctors should specifically screen for and treat nausea and constipation, as these strongly affect nutrition (strong evidence). Patients should work with nutritionists to increase food variety and find foods they can tolerate (moderate evidence). Hospitals should provide nutrition support services as part of standard cancer treatment (moderate evidence).

Cancer patients and their families should care about this research. Oncologists (cancer doctors) and hospital staff should use these findings to improve nutrition screening. People with advanced cancer (stages 3-4) should be especially attentive to nutrition. This research is less relevant for people without cancer, though good nutrition is important for everyone.

Nutrition improvements may help patients feel better within weeks, but long-term benefits for treatment outcomes typically appear over months of consistent nutrition support. Don’t expect overnight changes, but regular attention to nutrition can make a meaningful difference in how patients feel and how well they tolerate treatment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food intake variety (aim for at least 3-4 different food groups per day) and note any eating-related symptoms like nausea or constipation to share with your healthcare team
  • Use the app to log meals and symptoms together, then review patterns weekly with a nutritionist or doctor to identify which foods work best and which symptoms need treatment
  • Set weekly reminders to assess nutrition symptoms and food variety; track weight monthly if possible; share reports with your cancer care team every 2-4 weeks to adjust nutrition support as needed

This research shows associations between certain factors and poor nutrition in cancer patients but does not provide personalized medical advice. Cancer patients should work with their oncology team and a registered dietitian to develop an individualized nutrition plan. Do not make changes to cancer treatment or nutrition without consulting your healthcare provider. This study was conducted in one hospital setting and may not apply to all cancer patients or healthcare systems. Always discuss nutrition concerns with your medical team before making significant dietary changes.