Inadequate nutrition increases risk of death in cancer survivors
Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Medical Oncology Department faculty member Prof. Dr. Uğur Coşkun made statements regarding the fact that inadequate food intake increases the risk of death in cancer survivors. Coşkun stated the importance of initiatives such as screening for food insecurity in health institutions and directing individuals in need to aid programs.
Prof. Dr. Coşkun made the following statements in his statement: "We know how important nutrition is both in the development of cancer and during cancer treatment. However, a new study conducted in the USA revealed for the first time that food insecurity, in other words, the inability to obtain the necessary nutrients for the body on time and in sufficient quantities, significantly increases the risk of death in individuals who survive cancer. According to this study, the risk of death of cancer patients who do not have access to healthy food is 28 percent higher. Scientists from the Perelman School of Medicine in the USA examined the health data of more than 5,000 people. The study was published in the scientific journal JAMA Health Forum. Accordingly, the risk of death of individuals experiencing food insecurity is 28 percent higher than those who have access to healthy food. Moreover, this difference is valid when factors such as age, gender and smoking are taken into account."
Prof. Dr. Coşkun, who mentioned that the data was based on the US National Health Survey in 2011-2012 and death records up to 2019, said, "It was determined that 10 percent of the participants in the study experienced food insecurity. It was seen that this group had higher rates of death from both cancer and all causes. It is stated that this risk increases to 42 percent in individuals who experience food insecurity and do not participate in state-supported food assistance programs. This study is the first scientific research to show the relationship between food insecurity and the risk of death after cancer."
"ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD CAN EXTEND THE LIFE TIME OF PATIENTS"Emphasizing that healthy food is much more important than thought in cancer treatments, Prof. Dr. Uğur Coşkun said, "Access to healthy food can extend the life span of patients. Of course, the social needs of cancer patients should also be taken into consideration during the treatment process. In addition, it is very important to conduct initiatives such as screening for food insecurity in health institutions and directing individuals in need to aid programs. As a result, we can say that access to food and consumption of healthy food are as important for patients who survive cancer after treatment as nutrition is during cancer treatment."
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