Bowel cancer patients failing to receive advice on diet, say scientists

RESEARCH by scientists in Yorkshire has revealed an urgent need to improve nutritional support for bowel, colon and rectal cancer patients.

More than two- thirds of patients who took part in a survey revealed a lack of support in treatment for colorectal cancer.

They admitted that they did not receive any nutritional advice or support from their healthcare team throughout diagnosis, treatment and post- treatment, including those with a stoma.

According to the University of Sheffield research, a large proportion of those surveyed reported facing a number of nutritional difficulties including being unsure about what to eat, diarrhoea, appetite loss and changes to taste and smell.

Dr Bernard Corfe, from the University of Sheffield and the study’s lead author, said: “Many colorectal cancer survivors have to adapt to a new way of life after their treatment – especially those who are fitted with a stoma bag.

“It is so important that they receive nutritional guidance from their healthcare team, both during and after treatment, rather than having to search for the information online which may lead to patients accessing unverified or even unreputable sources.”

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence’s guidelines recommend that after colorectal cancer treatment, patients should be offered comprehensive advice, including information on diet.

About 268,000 people in the

UK are living with bowel cancer, according to the Bowel Cancer UK charity.

The Sheffield team has begun collaborating on an app which could help to give patients approved nutritional advice to reduce pressure on healthcare professionals.