Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
California State University Chico, Chico, CA, USA.
Integr Cancer Ther. 2023 Jan-Dec;22:15347354231191984. doi: 10.1177/15347354231191984.
Young women diagnosed with cancer are at an increased risk for infertility compared to women without a cancer diagnosis. Consuming a healthful diet comprised of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and unsaturated fats has been found to improve both fertility and cancer survivorship. Given this reason, dietary interventions tailored to support female cancer survivors with fertility challenges are of immense importance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators to healthful nutrition among female cancer survivors with fertility challenges, to inform the development of dietary interventions for this population.
Using a formative research design, interview, survey, and dietary intake data were collected from 20 female cancer survivors of reproductive age. Participant-check focus group discussions were conducted to validate findings. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Quantitative data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, ranges, frequencies, and percentages.
The average age of respondents was 31.47 ± 3.5 years and the average BMI was 24.78 ± 4.1 kg/m. All participants were college educated, 45% identified as White, 50% as Black, and 10% as Hispanic or Latinx. Cancer diagnoses included breast, thyroid, ovarian, leukemia, and gastrointestinal cancers. The following themes were identified: (1) Lack of nutrition-related resources and detailed guidance, (2) Work-life balance, (3) Perceived rigidity of dietary guidance, (4) Treatment-related fatigue, (5) Having trust in healthcare providers, (6) Higher motivation to change nutrition behavior, and (7) Recognizing the additional benefits of nutrition.
These findings indicate a sought-after yet unmet need for post-cancer treatment fertility nutrition recommendations. Interventions should be tailored to women's needs and focus on improving their self-efficacy to make healthful dietary choices.
与未被诊断患有癌症的女性相比，被诊断患有癌症的年轻女性更有可能面临不孕不育的风险。研究发现，食用富含全谷物、水果、蔬菜和不饱和脂肪的健康饮食可以提高生育能力和癌症生存质量。基于此，针对生育困难的女性癌症幸存者提供支持的饮食干预措施至关重要。因此，本研究旨在探讨生育困难的女性癌症幸存者在健康营养方面面临的障碍和促进因素，为该人群的饮食干预措施的制定提供信息。
本研究采用形成性研究设计，从 20 名处于生育年龄的女性癌症幸存者中收集了访谈、调查和膳食摄入量数据。通过参与者检查焦点小组讨论来验证研究结果。所有访谈均进行了录音，并逐字记录。使用主题分析方法对转录本进行编码和分析。采用均值、标准差、范围、频率和百分比对定量数据进行分析。
受访者的平均年龄为 31.47±3.5 岁，平均 BMI 为 24.78±4.1kg/m。所有参与者均受过大学教育，45%为白人，50%为黑人，10%为西班牙裔或拉丁裔。癌症诊断包括乳腺癌、甲状腺癌、卵巢癌、白血病和胃肠道癌。确定了以下主题：（1）缺乏与营养相关的资源和详细指导，（2）工作-生活平衡，（3）对饮食指导的认知刻板，（4）治疗相关的疲劳，（5）对医疗保健提供者的信任，（6）改变营养行为的更高动机，（7）认识到营养的额外益处。
这些发现表明，癌症治疗后生育营养建议存在需求，但尚未得到满足。干预措施应根据女性的需求进行定制，并侧重于提高其自我效能感，以做出健康的饮食选择。
