Food Safety Education for Cancer Patients

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Dietary limitations, Neutropenic diet, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a food safety training program can help cancer patients make safer food choices and avoid foodborne infections during treatments like chemotherapy. Patients often lack food safety advice until they are at risk, so this program could address that gap by teaching them to select low-risk foods and prepare meals safely. Suitable candidates for this trial include those diagnosed with cancer, currently undergoing treatment, and comfortable reading and speaking English. As an unphased trial, this study provides patients with the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge that can enhance their well-being during treatment.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on food safety education for cancer patients.

What prior data suggests that this educational training program is safe for cancer patients?

Research has shown that food safety education programs for cancer patients are generally safe. These programs teach patients how to handle food safely, which is crucial for those undergoing treatments like chemotherapy. One study found that patients felt more positive about food safety after attending these programs, indicating that the training is well-received and safe.

Another study discovered that cancer patients who took food hygiene courses gained better knowledge about preventing foodborne illnesses. This supports the idea that educational programs can be both helpful and safe. Since this trial focuses on learning, it involves no physical risks, unlike trials that test new drugs or treatments.

In summary, the food safety education program under study is safe. It instructs cancer patients on safe food handling and preparation, which is important for reducing the risk of infections. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Food Safety Educational Training Program for cancer patients because it addresses a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of patient care: food safety. Unlike traditional cancer treatments that focus on attacking cancer cells directly, this program aims to empower patients with knowledge to prevent foodborne illnesses, which can be particularly dangerous for those with compromised immune systems. By providing a 50-minute educational session, the program offers practical guidance in a short, accessible format, potentially reducing hospital visits and improving overall quality of life for cancer patients.

What evidence suggests that this educational program is effective for improving food safety knowledge in cancer patients?

Research has shown that food safety education helps cancer patients learn to handle food safely. In this trial, participants will attend a food safety educational training program. One study found that even a single session on food safety greatly improved patients' knowledge about selecting and preparing foods less likely to cause illness. This is crucial for cancer patients because treatments like chemotherapy can weaken their immune systems, increasing their risk of foodborne illness. Group nutrition and cooking classes have also provided cancer patients with essential dietary information. Overall, these educational programs effectively help patients make safer food choices. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sanja Ilic

Principal Investigator

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for cancer patients undergoing treatment who may be at risk of foodborne infections due to weakened immune systems. It aims to educate them on safe food practices.

Inclusion Criteria

Informed consent must be obtained from each patient prior to participation in any aspect of the study

I can fluently read and speak in English.

I am diagnosed with cancer and currently receiving treatment.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients who do not meet these criteria or are not willing or are unable to give informed consent, will be excluded from this study

Patients with prescribed dietary limitations or currently on neutropenic diet unrelated to this study will not be included

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Educational Intervention

Participants attend a food safety educational training program over 50 minutes

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in food safety knowledge and behaviors

5 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Food Safety Educational Training Program

Trial Overview The study tests whether a special training program can improve cancer patients' knowledge and behaviors around food safety, potentially reducing their infection risk during treatment.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Supportive care (food safety educational training) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Patients attend a food safety educational training program over 50 minutes on study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

350

Recruited

295,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06630442

NCT06630442 | Food Safety Educational Training Program ... A food safety educational training program may help cancer patients make better choices of low-risk foods and prepare foods safely. Detailed Description.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6722877/

Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge and Behaviors ... This study aims to fill these gaps in the literature by administering a thorough questionnaire to cancer patients seeking treatment in three hospitals.

3. jandonline.org jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(23)00909-7/fulltext

Improving Food Safety Among Cancer Patients Receiving ... This preliminary data shows the effectiveness of a single exposure to specifically targeted food safety education and demonstrates that additional steps are ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221226722400090X

A Scoping Review of Group Nutrition Education and ... Group nutrition education and cooking programs for people affected by cancer have the potential to address commonly reported unmet needs for dietary information ...

5. ons.org ons.org/publications-research/cjon/24/2/mediterranean-diet-outcomes-education-session-among-patients-cancer

Mediterranean Diet: Outcomes From an Education Session ... Post-education, both patients and nursing staff showed increased knowledge, willingness to try the diet, and perceived effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet.

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844023000609

Food safety knowledge attitude and practices of oncology ... A significant association was found between knowledge score and attending a course on food hygiene and foodborne diseases for chemotherapy patients (p < 0.001).

7. foodprotection.org foodprotection.org/members/fpt-archive-articles/2024-03-working-with-people-affected-by-cancer-in-food-safety-research-recruitment-considerations-fr/

Working with People Affected by Cancer in Food Safety ... Research in food safety behaviors during cancer treatment requires access to the patients during the times when they are highly vulnerable. The recruitment ...