Food insecurity happens when a person has a lack of continuous access to food. This can be from a lack of physical access, like lack of nearby grocery stores or inadequate transportation options, or financial barriers.
If you are receiving cancer treatment, it’s especially important to maintain a healthy diet to make sure all your body’s nutritional needs are met. However, surveys conducted in various locations throughout the United States showed that 17 to 55 percent of cancer patients are affected by food insecurity.
“Proper nutrition is a cornerstone of effective oncology care. At New Jersey Cancer Care, our providers recognize that addressing essential daily needs—like access to wholesome, nourishing food—is just as vital as administering medical treatments. We are dedicated to ensuring our patients have the comprehensive resources and support necessary to maintain their health throughout their cancer journey.”
— Dr. James M. Orsini, MD, Director of Oncology
Food Insecurity Leads to Higher Cancer Rates
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology looked at county-level food insecurity and investigated its impact on cancer incidence rates and cancer outcomes. The study found that areas with a higher percentage of individuals experiencing food insecurity correlated with higher cancer incidence rates.2 These counties also often had decreased access to care and increased disease severity. Lung cancer and colorectal cancer rates were most affected in areas with increased food insecurity.
Food Insecurity Is a Social Determinant of Health
Access to the nutritious food necessary to maintain a healthy diet can impact a person’s risk factors for health issues, as well as their outcomes. For patients with cancer, this may include:
Issues with Side Effects
Diet and food choices play an important role in mitigating the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. For patients experiencing weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, or other symptoms related to eating and digestion, it can be important to pick the right foods and prepare them in a specific way. Patients with a lack of flexibility in what foods they can purchase or how they can be prepared have extra challenges in managing these side effects. To learn more about our multidisciplinary treatment approaches and comprehensive supportive care, visit our cancer care services page.
Issues with Treatment
A 2020 study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found cancer patients with financial barriers to food access were more likely to skip, delay, or change their prescription medications.3 Food-insecure patients were less likely to be able to make their treatment a financial priority.
Comorbidities associated with lack of nutritional food, such as diabetes, can also make cancer treatment more difficult.
Food Insecurity After Treatment
Adequate nutrition is an important part of staying healthy after cancer treatment. However, many cancer survivors may find themselves with financial barriers to accessing the food they need to maintain a healthy diet. Some cancer survivors may experience chronic food insecurity—some studies find this is more prominent in communities with already high levels of food insecurity influenced by factors like race, ethnicity, income, and other disabilities.
How to Address Food Insecurity in Patients with Cancer
Because a nutritious diet is essential to maintaining health, connecting patients to resources and support is an important part of cancer treatment and survivorship care. By screening for potential need, healthcare providers can connect patients to the appropriate professionals, including:
Patient Navigator Coordinators
Patient navigator coordinators can connect patients with food banks and help them enroll in federal benefit programs. This can alleviate some of the financial burdens of accessing nutritious food. At New Jersey Cancer Care, our patient navigators work closely with each individual to identify social determinants of health and streamline access to essential community assistance programs.
Dietitians
Dietitians can work with patients to develop an appropriate diet that addresses each person’s individual needs. Dietitians help patients find ways to incorporate healthy choices to support recovery and encourage optimal outcomes. Our oncology dietitians specialize in tailored meal planning that accommodates treatment side effects while respecting budget and availability constraints.
Counseling
Licensed mental health professionals provide mental and emotional support throughout a patient’s cancer journey. They can help identify needs and connect patients with resources to address them. Our compassionate counseling team helps alleviate stress, address emotional challenges, and guide families to vital social services.
New Jersey Cancer Care Is Committed to Supporting Patients
At New Jersey Cancer Care, we believe cancer treatment should meet each patient’s individual needs for their health. That’s why we provide support services from a multidisciplinary team of experts that connect each patient to the resources they need throughout their cancer journey.
“Our mission is to treat the whole person, not just the disease. By combining personalized medical care with robust patient support services, we empower our patients to focus on healing and achieving the best possible quality of life.”
— Dr. James M. Orsini, MD
We have also partnered with findhelp, America’s leading social care network, to connect you with resources, including financial assistance, transportation to your appointments, food pantries, childcare, services, and more. Search on your own at usoncology.findhelp.com to find help in your community.
To learn more about additional services offered at New Jersey Cancer Care, visit our services page or contact us today at:
Belleville Office: (973) 751-8880 | 1 Clara Maass Dr., Ste. 200, Belleville, NJ 07109
Montclair Office: (973) 744-8000 | 1 Bay Ave., Ste. 2, Montclair, NJ 07042