Samlal Keisha C, Williams Akil J, Charles Breane, Ramsaran Christian, Ramkissoon Leann, Ramlal Marylisa, Brown Sophia, Nimrod Marisa, Ivey Marsha A
Department of Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
BMC Cancer. 2025 Jul 10;25(1):1158. doi: 10.1186/s12885-025-14219-4.
To examine nutritional impact symptoms and dietary changes experienced by cancer patients in Trinidad, as well as the nutritional support and guidance they received during treatment.
A qualitative study was conducted of 12 adult cancer patients who were diagnosed within the last five years, undergoing treatment and recruited from a non-profit organisation. Participants' experiences with dietary changes and nutritional needs were examined through face-to-face interviews guided by 21 semi-structured questions. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically using Dedoose© software.
Twelve participants were interviewed, from which three major themes emerged: Nutrition Impact Symptoms (NIS), Dietary Changes, and Lack of Information. Participants experienced a combination of symptoms during treatment: nausea, metallic taste, constipation, fatigue, and loss of appetite, taste and smell. Dietary changes included the introduction of new foods and the decrease or eliminations of others, portion sizes and meal frequency. Intake restrictions were also noted for flour, sugar, processed foods, artificially flavoured foods/beverages, and meats (chicken, beef and pork). Limited information and dietary guidance were received from healthcare professionals; participants relied on personal research, information from other cancer patients and support groups.
There is a need for capacity-building initiatives that train healthcare professionals to deliver appropriate nutritional guidance. Efforts are needed to integrate dietary education into public health initiatives which could empower patients and caregivers to make informed decisions about nutrition during treatment.
研究特立尼达癌症患者经历的营养影响症状和饮食变化，以及他们在治疗期间获得的营养支持和指导。
对12名成年癌症患者进行了定性研究，这些患者在过去五年内被诊断出患有癌症，正在接受治疗，且是从一个非营利组织招募而来。通过由21个半结构化问题引导的面对面访谈，考察参与者在饮食变化和营养需求方面的经历。访谈进行了录音、转录，并使用Dedoose©软件进行主题分析。
对12名参与者进行了访谈，从中出现了三个主要主题：营养影响症状（NIS）、饮食变化和信息缺乏。参与者在治疗期间经历了多种症状：恶心、金属味、便秘、疲劳、食欲不振、味觉和嗅觉丧失。饮食变化包括引入新食物以及减少或消除其他食物、份量和用餐频率。还注意到对面粉、糖、加工食品、人工调味食品/饮料和肉类（鸡肉、牛肉和猪肉）的摄入限制。参与者从医疗保健专业人员那里获得的信息和饮食指导有限；他们依靠个人研究、其他癌症患者和支持小组提供的信息。
需要开展能力建设举措，培训医疗保健专业人员提供适当的营养指导。需要努力将饮食教育纳入公共卫生举措，这可以使患者和护理人员在治疗期间能够就营养问题做出明智的决定。
