As March marks Nutrition Awareness Month, healthcare professionals are highlighting the transformative role of diet across the cancer care continuum—from prevention and treatment to long-term survivorship. While the connection between nutrition and cancer has long been recognized, emerging research and tailored strategies are reshaping clinical approaches to dietary management for oncology patients.
Nutrition Strategies During Active Treatment
During active cancer treatment, patients often face significant nutritional challenges due to treatment-related side effects. "We recommend frequent, small meals instead of large ones, antinausea medications, and avoiding certain foods that exacerbate symptoms," explains Dr. Marleen I. Meyers, a breast medical oncologist at NYU Langone Health, in an interview with Targeted Oncology™.
For patients experiencing nausea, taste alterations, and appetite loss, maintaining adequate nutrition becomes particularly challenging. Oncologists often prioritize calorie and protein intake during this phase, even if it means temporarily deviating from standard healthy eating guidelines. High-calorie, protein-dense foods such as dairy products, cooked eggs, and healthy fats become essential, especially for patients experiencing cachexia or significant weight loss.
"It takes a whole score of people. I feel like the medical oncologist, their role [has] mainly been recommendations and things, but having that sort of support team to talk about nutrition [is critical]," notes Dr. Premal Thaker, Chief of Gynecologic Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine.
Nutrition for Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction
The link between diet and cancer prevention continues to strengthen through ongoing research. Obesity and poor dietary habits are well-established risk factors for several cancers, with growing evidence connecting highly processed foods and excessive alcohol consumption to increased cancer risk.
"We're learning that nutrition plays a much larger role in cancer prevention than we once thought," Dr. Meyers emphasizes. For prevention, she advocates for a "colorful diet" that includes diverse fruits and vegetables. "You do not want to just eat broccoli—it is great, but you also need those yellows, oranges, and reds to get a full spectrum of nutrients."
Recent epidemiological studies have identified specific dietary patterns associated with reduced cancer risk. Research has shown that diet quality significantly lowers the risk of lung cancer, while other studies have explored the potential of isoflavones in breast cancer prevention.
Debunking Common Nutrition Myths in Oncology
Misinformation about nutrition and cancer remains prevalent, creating confusion for patients and survivors. One persistent myth suggests that sugar directly "feeds" cancer cells. Dr. Meyers clarifies: "Cancer cells grow quickly and may uptake sugar more rapidly, but cutting out sugar entirely won't starve the cancer." While reducing added sugar consumption remains important for overall health and weight management, the relationship is more complex than commonly portrayed.
Another misconception concerns soy products, particularly among breast cancer patients. Contrary to popular belief, research in cancer survivors confirms no harmful effects from whole soy foods. "Soy foods like tofu, edamame, and miso are safe and can be part of a healthy diet," Dr. Meyers explains, though she cautions against soy supplements, which lack purity and consistency.
Nutrition in Survivorship: Beyond Treatment
Once active treatment concludes, nutritional focus shifts toward long-term health optimization and recurrence risk reduction. Survivorship programs, like the one Dr. Meyers directs at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, integrate nutrition education to improve outcomes.
"We focus on maintaining a healthy weight, minimizing alcohol, and eating a balanced diet to reduce the risk of recurrence and other chronic diseases," she explains. Many oncologists recommend a Mediterranean-style diet, rich in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, for its potential to improve overall health.
Dr. Meyers also addresses the psychological aspects of dietary changes: "Survivors often have an 'aha moment' after treatment, wanting to optimize their health. But like New Year's resolutions, these goals can be hard to sustain. That's why we emphasize evidence-based strategies and ongoing support."
The Evolving Research Landscape
While much of the historical research on cancer and nutrition has focused primarily on prevention, significant gaps remain in understanding nutrition's role during treatment and survivorship. Emerging studies are now addressing this imbalance, offering promising insights into how diet can influence cancer outcomes.
According to research published in Nutrients, an unbalanced diet can increase cancer risk, while malnutrition can negatively impact treatment efficacy. Ongoing research is assessing gene-diet interactions, and large cohort studies are investigating relationships that could reshape understanding of nutrition's role in cancer care.
Implementing Sustainable Dietary Changes
For patients and survivors, adopting sustainable dietary changes can feel overwhelming. Dr. Meyers recommends starting small: "Decrease portions by 15% to 20% and choose one less-healthy food to limit or replace." These incremental changes, combined with regular physical activity, can lead to significant long-term benefits.
"Rome wasn't built in a day," Dr. Meyers concludes. "Small, consistent changes can lead to lasting benefits. That's the message we want to leave with our patients and colleagues this month—and every month."
The integration of registered dietitians into multidisciplinary oncology teams has become increasingly important for optimizing patient outcomes. This collaborative approach supports effective management of treatment-related adverse events and provides comprehensive support for long-term survivorship.
As research continues to evolve, nutrition remains a dynamic component of cancer care requiring personalized strategies, patient education, and evidence-based practices to improve outcomes and quality of life throughout the cancer journey.
"I feel like sometimes we forget about [nutrition], because we are so focused on treating the cancer that we forget that there are so many other aspects to that treatment," Dr. Thaker emphasizes, highlighting the need for comprehensive care that addresses all factors affecting patient wellbeing.
