When newly diagnosed breast cancer patients met with a nutrition expert before starting treatment, they lost more weight than patients who didn’t have this meeting. The study compared two groups of women with breast cancer—one group got personalized nutrition advice covering healthy eating habits and building confidence, while the other group didn’t. Women who were very concerned about their weight lost the most. This early nutrition guidance appears to help patients manage their weight during a critical time, which could improve how well their cancer treatment works.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does meeting with a nutrition expert right after a breast cancer diagnosis (but before treatment starts) help patients lose weight?
  • Who participated: 145 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, average age 59 years old. Most were white, and they weighed about 167 pounds on average at the start.
  • Key finding: Women who met with a nutrition expert lost about 2.2 pounds on average, while women who didn’t meet with an expert lost only 0.68 pounds. This difference was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance.
  • What it means for you: If you’re newly diagnosed with breast cancer, asking for a nutrition consultation before treatment starts may help you lose weight during this important time. This could potentially help your treatment work better, though more research is needed to confirm this benefit.

The Research Details

Researchers compared two groups of breast cancer patients: one group received a personalized nutrition consultation with a registered dietitian, and the other group did not. The nutrition sessions were customized for each person and covered topics like eating habits, how nutrition relates to cancer, and building confidence in making healthy choices. Both groups answered surveys before and after the study period, reporting their weight and height. The researchers then compared how much weight each group lost or gained.

This type of study design is called a quasi-experimental study, which means the researchers didn’t randomly assign people to groups—instead, they compared groups that naturally received different treatments at different clinics. This approach is practical for real-world situations but has some limitations compared to studies where people are randomly assigned.

Timing matters when it comes to nutrition help for cancer patients. Getting nutrition advice early—right after diagnosis but before treatment—may be the best time to help patients manage their weight. Weight management during cancer treatment is important because it can affect how well treatments work and how patients recover. This study helps answer the question of whether early intervention is better than waiting.

The study included 145 participants, which is a reasonable sample size. However, the study relied on self-reported weight and height rather than measured weights, which can be less accurate. Most participants were white women, so the results may not apply equally to all racial and ethnic groups. The study compared clinics rather than randomly assigning people, which means some differences between groups could be due to other factors besides the nutrition consultation. Despite these limitations, the findings suggest a real benefit from early nutrition intervention.

What the Results Show

The main finding was clear: women who received a nutrition consultation lost significantly more weight than those who didn’t. On average, the nutrition consultation group lost 2.2 pounds, while the control group lost only 0.68 pounds. While these numbers might seem small, they represent a meaningful difference and suggest that the nutrition consultation had a real effect.

Another important finding was that the amount of weight loss depended on how concerned people were about their weight. Women who were very concerned about their weight lost about 2.4 pounds on average, while women who were extremely concerned lost about 4.2 pounds. This suggests that people who are most motivated by weight concerns may benefit the most from nutrition guidance.

The personalized nature of the nutrition sessions appears to have been important. Each session was tailored to the individual’s eating habits, concerns about cancer, and personal confidence in making healthy changes. This customization likely made the advice more relevant and easier to follow.

The study found that the nutrition consultation’s focus on building self-efficacy—a person’s confidence in their ability to make healthy changes—was part of what made it effective. By helping people believe they could make dietary changes, the dietitian may have helped them actually follow through with those changes. The sessions also addressed the connection between nutrition and cancer, which may have motivated people to take the advice seriously.

This research adds to growing evidence that early nutrition intervention for cancer patients is valuable. Previous studies have suggested that nutrition matters for cancer outcomes, but there’s been uncertainty about the best timing for nutrition consultations. This study supports the idea that intervening early—right after diagnosis but before treatment—may be more effective than waiting. The findings align with recommendations from cancer organizations that emphasize the importance of nutrition throughout the cancer journey.

Several limitations should be considered when interpreting these results. First, weight and height were self-reported rather than measured by researchers, which can lead to inaccuracy. Second, the study population was mostly white women, so we don’t know if the results apply equally to men or to people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Third, the study compared different clinics rather than randomly assigning people to groups, so some differences might be due to other clinic differences rather than the nutrition consultation itself. Finally, the study didn’t track long-term outcomes, so we don’t know if the weight loss was maintained over time or if it actually improved cancer treatment results.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve been newly diagnosed with breast cancer, consider asking your doctor for a referral to a registered dietitian for a nutrition consultation before your treatment begins. The evidence suggests this may help with weight management during this critical time. This recommendation has moderate confidence based on this study, though more research would strengthen the evidence. Work with your healthcare team to ensure nutrition advice fits with your overall cancer treatment plan.

This finding is most relevant for people newly diagnosed with breast cancer who are concerned about their weight or who want to optimize their health before treatment. It may be particularly beneficial for those who feel motivated to make dietary changes. People with other types of cancer should discuss with their doctors whether similar nutrition consultations might help them, as this study focused specifically on breast cancer. If you have difficulty accessing a registered dietitian, ask your cancer care team about alternatives like nutrition apps or group education sessions.

Based on this study, weight loss began during the period between diagnosis and treatment start, which typically lasts several weeks to a few months. You might expect to see some weight changes within this timeframe if you receive nutrition guidance. However, maintaining weight loss over the long term requires ongoing effort, so it’s important to view the nutrition consultation as the beginning of a longer journey rather than a one-time fix.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily food intake and weight weekly using the app’s food diary and weight log features. Set a specific, realistic goal like ’lose 1-2 pounds per month’ rather than aiming for rapid weight loss. Record not just what you eat, but also your confidence level in making healthy choices (1-10 scale) to monitor improvements in self-efficacy.
  • Use the app to schedule and prepare for nutrition-related changes. Start with one small change—like adding one vegetable to dinner or drinking more water—rather than overhauling your entire diet at once. Set reminders for meal planning and grocery shopping, and use the app’s recipe suggestions to find healthy meals that appeal to you.
  • Check your progress weekly by reviewing your food diary and weight trends. Look for patterns in when you make healthier choices and celebrate small wins. If you’re not seeing progress after 2-3 weeks, use the app to identify barriers (like stress eating or time constraints) and adjust your approach. Share your progress with your healthcare team during appointments to ensure your nutrition plan supports your overall cancer treatment.

This research suggests that nutrition consultation may help with weight management for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your oncologist and healthcare team before making significant dietary changes or starting any weight loss program, especially during cancer treatment. The findings are based on a single study with some limitations, and individual results may vary. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, work with your medical team to develop a nutrition plan that is appropriate for your specific situation, type of cancer, and treatment plan.