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

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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 data supports the effectiveness of the Nutrition Assistance Program treatment for cancer patients?

Research shows that providing nutritional support to cancer patients can help them maintain or gain weight during therapy, improve their protein status, and potentially reduce complications and hospitalizations. Nutritional interventions, such as dietary counseling and supplements, have been effective in improving health outcomes for cancer patients. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Nutrition Assistance Program safe for cancer patients?

The Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, is generally considered safe for humans as it is a widely used federal program aimed at reducing hunger and improving health. However, it is important to note that while it helps with food security, many cancer patients still experience food insecurity despite receiving SNAP benefits. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does the Nutrition Assistance Program for Cancer Patients differ from other treatments for cancer-related malnutrition?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on providing personalized nutrition support and education to improve dietary intake in cancer patients, which is crucial for managing malnutrition. Unlike standard treatments that may not address nutritional needs, this program emphasizes early identification of nutritional risk and empowers patients with knowledge to enhance their overall health and recovery. ^{4 11 12 13 14}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study seeks to evaluate whether a nutrition assistance quality improvement program for patients with cancer and food insecurity receiving active treatment at Pacific Cancer Care will have reductions in food insecurity.

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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) 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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

References

1. United States 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. [2022]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Opportunities for Quality Improvement Programs (QIPs) in the Nutrition Support of Patients with Cancer. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

4. England 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. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Principles of nutritional therapy. [2019]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food Insecurity among Cancer Patients Enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Low-income Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation is related to adiposity and metabolic risk factors. [2023]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of Hospital-Based Food Pantries Among Low-Income Urban Cancer Patients. [2018]

9. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SNAP, Young Children's Health, and Family Food Security and Healthcare Access. [2020]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutrition support in cancer. [2019]

12. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Key Role of Patient Empowerment in the Future Management of Cancer-Related Malnutrition. [2023]

13. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of preoperative nutritional support in malnourished patients with pancreatobiliary cancer: a quasi-experimental study. [2022]

14. China (Republic : 1949- ) 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. [2022]