Nutrition Assistance Program for Cancer Patients

Overseen By Emily H Wood

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Disqualifiers: No cancer, Under 18, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines whether a special program can help cancer patients struggling with food access feel more secure about their food situation. Participants will receive a $40 voucher each month for six months to buy fresh produce at local grocery stores. The study specifically targets low-income Latinx cancer patients or those from other minority groups currently receiving treatment at Pacific Cancer Care. Cancer patients facing food insecurity may find support through this Nutrition Assistance Program during treatment. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to receive nutritional support while contributing to research that may benefit others facing similar challenges.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on nutrition assistance for cancer patients, so it's best to ask the trial coordinators for more details.

What prior data suggests that the Nutrition Assistance Program is safe for cancer patients?

Research has shown that nutrition assistance programs, like the one in this study, are linked to better health. For instance, adults who accessed food stamps as children tend to have lower risks of obesity and diseases related to the heart and diabetes. These programs aim to improve diet quality by making healthier food choices more affordable.

This study focuses on reducing food insecurity and does not involve any new drugs or medical procedures, eliminating direct safety concerns. Instead, the program provides grocery vouchers, safely helping cancer patients obtain nutritious foods. This can lead to better overall health during treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional treatments for food insecurity among cancer patients, which might involve direct food assistance or nutritional counseling, the Nutrition Assistance Program offers a unique approach by providing a $40.00 monthly voucher specifically for fresh produce. This method empowers patients to make healthier food choices tailored to their preferences and dietary needs, potentially improving their overall nutritional status during active cancer treatment. Researchers are excited about this program because it addresses food insecurity directly and has the potential to enhance the well-being and treatment outcomes of Latinx cancer patients in a culturally sensitive and sustainable way.

What evidence suggests that the Nutrition Assistance Program is effective for reducing food insecurity in cancer patients?

Studies have shown that cancer patients who struggle to get enough food tend to have worse health outcomes, including higher death rates. Early nutrition support can improve their quality of life, help them handle treatment better, and even increase their chances of surviving cancer. Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been linked to better health by providing access to healthy foods. Research on similar programs has shown benefits like improved patient health and better adherence to treatment. This trial will evaluate the impact of a Nutrition Assistance Program, where participants will receive a $40.00 voucher each month for 6 months to use in the produce section of local grocery stores. These findings suggest that such a program could help cancer patients who face food insecurity by boosting their overall health and treatment success. ^{1 3 4 5 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adult patients with cancer at Pacific Cancer Care who are experiencing food insecurity, can communicate in English or Spanish, and have public insurance or health insurance from an agricultural company. It's specifically aimed at Latinx or other racial/ethnic minority groups that are low income.

Inclusion Criteria

Patient must be Latinx or another racial and ethnic minority group OR low income

I am mentally capable of understanding and consenting to treatment.

I have public insurance or am covered by agricultural company health insurance.

Exclusion Criteria

I am considered unable to give consent for medical procedures.

Patient must not be Latinx or another racial/ethnic minority OR low income OR publicly insured

I have health insurance that is not from an agricultural company.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a $40.00 food voucher each month for 6 months for use in the produce section at local grocery stores

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in food insecurity, quality of life, financial toxicity, and treatment adherence

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Nutrition Assistance Program

Trial Overview

The study is testing a nutrition assistance program to see if it helps reduce food insecurity among cancer patients receiving treatment. The goal is to improve the quality of life and potentially impact their overall health during therapy.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Nutrition Assistance Program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A total of 30 Latinx cancer patients on active cancer treatment who have screened positive for food insecurity will receive a $40.00 voucher for use each month for 6 months for nutrition assistance in the produce section of local grocery stores after enrollment in the program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Malnutrition is a common yet overlooked issue in cancer patients that can negatively impact survival, quality of life, and increase healthcare costs, highlighting the need for better nutritional care standards.

Quality improvement programs, like the Malnutrition Quality Improvement Initiative (MQii), have proven effective in identifying and addressing malnutrition, suggesting that implementing such programs in cancer care could significantly enhance patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opportunities for Quality Improvement Programs (QIPs) in the Nutrition Support of Patients with Cancer. Arensberg, MB., Richards, J., Benjamin, J., et al.[2020]

Malnutrition is frequently observed in cancer patients, which can significantly impact their overall health and treatment outcomes.

Addressing malnutrition in cancer patients is crucial for improving their quality of life and enhancing the effectiveness of cancer therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Key Role of Patient Empowerment in the Future Management of Cancer-Related Malnutrition. Casirati, A., Da Prat, V., Cereda, E., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 444 high-risk oncology patients, nutrition education significantly improved dietary intake, particularly in protein and total energy consumption.

The findings suggest that providing nutritional education is an effective strategy for enhancing nutrient intake in oncology patients, which is crucial for their overall health and recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and a nutrition education program for high risk cancer patients: strategies to improve dietary intake in cancer patients. Chao, PC., Chuang, HJ., Tsao, LY., et al.[2022]

A study involving 351 low-income urban cancer patients at food pantries in New York City found that the average number of visits to the pantry was 3.25 over four months, indicating a moderate level of engagement with the food assistance program.

Younger patients were less likely to use the pantry, while immigrant patients and those with prostate or Stage IV cancer were more likely to utilize the service, highlighting the need for targeted outreach to at-risk groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of Hospital-Based Food Pantries Among Low-Income Urban Cancer Patients. Gany, F., Lee, T., Loeb, R., et al.[2018]

Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) significantly reduces food insecurity among low-income households, with a decrease of 6-17% in food insecurity rates and 12-19% in severe food insecurity after approximately 6 months of participation.

The study, which analyzed data from nearly 6,500 households, highlights SNAP's critical role in enhancing the health and well-being of families, emphasizing the need for continued support for the program amidst potential legislative cuts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation is associated with an increase in household food security in a national evaluation. Mabli, J., Ohls, J.[2023]

In a study of 2250 low-income adults, participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was linked to higher rates of obesity and increased waist circumference, indicating a potential risk for metabolic issues.

SNAP participants also showed elevated levels of triglycerides, lower HDL cholesterol, and higher fasting glucose levels, suggesting that SNAP participation may contribute to adverse metabolic health outcomes, independent of body weight.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Low-income Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation is related to adiposity and metabolic risk factors. Leung, CW., Willett, WC., Ding, EL.[2023]

A study of 681 underserved cancer patients in NYC revealed that 69% lived in food insecure households, highlighting a significant health risk for this population.

Even with SNAP assistance, 68% of recipients were still food insecure, indicating that current support programs are insufficient and suggesting a need for enhanced supplemental programs to address the unique challenges faced by cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food Insecurity among Cancer Patients Enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Gany, F., Melnic, I., Ramirez, J., et al.[2023]

Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is linked to better health outcomes for young children, including lower odds of poor health status and developmental risks, based on data from families with children under 3 years old in five cities.

SNAP participants also experience reduced food insecurity and healthcare cost sacrifices compared to nonparticipants, suggesting that enhancing SNAP benefits could be an effective strategy for improving family well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SNAP, Young Children's Health, and Family Food Security and Healthcare Access. Ettinger de Cuba, SA., Bovell-Ammon, AR., Cook, JT., et al.[2020]

Clinicians have a variety of nutrition intervention strategies to support cancer patients facing malnutrition, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches based on individual assessments.

Oncology nurses play a crucial role in monitoring patients' nutritional status and implementing timely interventions, highlighting the importance of their knowledge in nutrition support throughout the cancer treatment process.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutrition support in cancer. Bloch, A.[2019]

A preoperative nutritional support program (PNSP) for malnourished cancer patients undergoing major surgery significantly improved their nutritional status, as indicated by a decrease in low serum prealbumin levels and an increase in patients achieving a better PG-SGA grade.

While the overall complication rates were higher in the PNSP group compared to well-nourished patients, those who improved their nutritional status after PNSP had similar complication rates to the well-nourished group, suggesting that PNSP can lead to comparable clinical outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of preoperative nutritional support in malnourished patients with pancreatobiliary cancer: a quasi-experimental study. Park, HM., Kang, YH., Lee, DE., et al.[2022]

In a study of 1831 hospitalized patients, those identified as at nutritional risk showed a significantly lower complication rate (20.3%) when receiving nutritional support compared to those without support (28.1%), particularly due to fewer infectious complications.

Enteral nutrition specifically was associated with a significantly lower complication rate compared to no support, while parenteral nutrition did not show a similar benefit, highlighting the importance of the type of nutritional support provided.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of nutritional support on clinical outcome in patients at nutritional risk: a multicenter, prospective cohort study in Baltimore and Beijing teaching hospitals. Jie, B., Jiang, ZM., Nolan, MT., et al.[2022]

A proactive nutritional assessment and intervention approach at Fox Chase Cancer Center led to a 50%-80% success rate in helping 186 cancer patients maintain or gain weight during therapy, which is crucial for improving cancer prognosis and reducing complications.

In a separate program involving 65 patients, 58% were able to successfully taper off parenteral nutrition, highlighting the effectiveness of tailored nutritional interventions in managing cancer-related weight loss and nutritional deterioration.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Definition of standardized nutritional assessment and interventional pathways in oncology. Ottery, FD.[2022]

A study of 659 cancer patients in a surgical oncology unit revealed a high prevalence of malnutrition, particularly in those with Head and Neck (37.6%), Genitourinary (30.8%), and Digestive (27.7%) cancers, highlighting the critical need for nutritional monitoring and intervention.

Only 14.0% of patients received nutrition-related nursing interventions and 21.5% were referred for clinical dietetic support during their hospital stay, indicating a gap in the nutritional care provided to cancer patients that needs to be addressed for better outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Characterization and monitoring of nutritional risk and nutritional status in oncological patients admitted to an oncological surgery unit: A longitudinal study. Gonçalves, F., Cabral, S., Moreira, AP., et al.[2023]

Adequate nutrition significantly improves the clinical and psychological well-being of cancer patients, helping to counteract the negative effects of the disease and its treatments.

Malnutrition is not an inevitable consequence of cancer, and early assessment and intervention in nutritional status are crucial for effective treatment and support, requiring a collaborative approach among healthcare professionals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Principles of nutritional therapy. Shils, ME.[2019]

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