Head and neck cancer patients who eat foods high in antioxidants and other micronutrients prior to diagnosis may reduce their risks of developing chronic nutrition impact symptoms up to one year after being diagnosed with head or neck cancer.
According to a study posted on the website of the University of Illinois (UI) on Monday, the study was conducted with 336 adult patients of the University of Michigan Head and Neck Specialized Program of Excellence, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Data on patients' tumor sites, stages and treatment were obtained from their medical records. More than half of these patients had stage 4 tumors at diagnosis.
Prior to starting cancer treatment and again one year post-diagnosis, the patients completed a questionnaire on their diet, tobacco and alcohol use, and quality of life. Patients reported whether they experienced any of seven nutrition impact symptoms, such as pain or difficulty chewing, tasting or swallowing foods and liquids, and rated on a five-point scale how bothersome each symptom was.
In analyzing the patients' eating habits, the researchers found that they followed either of two major dietary patterns: the Western pattern, which included high amounts of red and processed meats, fried foods and sugar; or the prudent pattern, which included healthier fare such as fruits and vegetables, fish and whole grains.
Patients who ate healthier at diagnosis reported fewer problems with chewing, swallowing and mucositis one year after treatment, the researcher found.
"While the origin and development of nutrition impact symptoms are complex and varied, they generally share one common mechanism - cell damage due to inflammation," said Anna E. Arthur, a professor of food science and human nutrition at UI. "The prudent dietary pattern has the potential to reduce inflammation and affect the biological processes involved in the pathogenesis of these symptoms."
The researchers also found the mitigating effects of a healthy diet were particularly significant in people who had never smoked and in patients who were underweight or normal weight at diagnosis, who often experience the greatest eating and digestive problems during treatment, said Sylvia L. Crowder, the study's first author and a research fellow in the Cancer Scholars for Translational and Applied Research program, a collaborative initiative of UI and Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois.
The researchers hypothesized that some patients may begin eating healthier after being diagnosed with cancer, potentially counteracting the pro-inflammatory effects of their previous dietary habits.
Reverse causation was possible too. Patients' lack of symptoms may have enabled them to consume a broader range of foods, including healthier whole foods, before their cancer was discovered, the researchers hypothesized.
New immunotherapy to fight cancer, keep healthy cells safe
A team of US researchers has developed a new immunotherapy technique that uses cytokine proteins as a potential treatment, effectively targeting tumours without causing harm to healthy cells.
Why excess sugar, oil are as dangerous for liver as alcohol
While alcohol is known to be bad for liver health, consuming foods rich in sugar and oil may be equally dangerous for the organ as well as for overall health, said doctors on Thursday, ahead of World Liver Day.
Lungs of young adults more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 virus: Study
While older age has been associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, a new study has revealed that the lungs of young adults are more susceptible to the virus.
This vaccine helped over 50 pc of people remain UTI-free for years
More than 50 per cent of people remained Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)-free for up to nine years who received the oral spray-based vaccine 'MV140', a new study has said.
Become custodian of your health, do annual checkups: Cardiologist Devi Shetty
On the occasion of World Health Day, top cardiologist Devi Shetty on Sunday advised people to become custodians of their health and take preventive health checkups every year.
Successful Hernioplasty surgery performed at Unakoti District Hospital
In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Unakoti District Hospital witnessed the successful completion of a complex hernioplasty surgery on February 22.
New surrogacy law changes will uphold right to parenthood for all individuals: Experts
The latest amendment to the surrogacy law will uphold the right to parenthood for all individuals, said experts on Friday.
Cardiology Triumph: GB Hospital makes history with successful heart holes closure
In a groundbreaking achievement, the cardiology department of GB Hospital in Agartala has marked a historic milestone by successfully closing a heart hole through device closure, a procedure conducted for the first time in the hospital's history.