Poster Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

A scoping review exploring the current landscape of food and nutrition insecurity research in cancer survivorship (125845)

Susannah Ayre 1 2 , Rachael Madders 1 , Brooke Baker 1 , Emily Mitchell 2 , Belinda Goodwin 1 3 4 , Lizzy Johnston 1 2 , Danielle Gallegos 2 5
  1. Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  2. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  3. Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, QLD, Australia
  4. School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
  5. Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Objective: Food and nutrition insecurity, defined as a lack of reliable access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious food, is an important consideration for people affected by cancer who may experience financial burden, coupled with increased nutritional requirements due to treatment-related side-effects. This scoping review examined the extent and nature of literature on food and nutrition insecurity among cancer survivors and informal carers.

Methods: Six electronic databases (APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Medline, ProQuest, Web of Science) were searched in September 2024. Studies reporting on food or nutrition insecurity among cancer survivors and/or informal carers aged >18 years were eligible for inclusion. Two independent reviewers conducted screening and data extraction, with findings summarised using descriptive statistics.

Results: Of 5,049 records, 97 were eligible for inclusion (n=83 quantitative, n=9 qualitative, n=5 mixed methods studies). Most studies were published within the past five years (n=83 studies, 86%) and conducted in the United States (n=79, 81%), with only one study in Australia. Most focused on cancer survivors only (n=85, 88%), with few including informal carers (n=16 studies, 16%). Food and nutrition insecurity was assessed quantitatively in 71 studies at an individual or household level using 19 instruments. Among these studies, the most commonly used tool was the United States Department of Agriculture Adult/Household Food Security Survey Module (n=24 studies, 34%). While the prevalence of food and nutrition insecurity varied, studies that assessed its impact commonly reported associations with poorer treatment outcomes, including increased mortality.

Conclusion and clinical implications: Food and nutrition insecurity is an emerging concern in cancer care, but remains under-researched, particularly among informal carers who are often responsible for sourcing, preparing, and providing food during and after cancer treatment. To advance this field, future research should prioritise diverse populations, standardised measurement approaches, and the development of targeted interventions across the cancer care continuum.