If you are a patient with lung cancer currently seeking treatment at Tufts Medical Center, Fox Chase Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, or The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, please contact your oncologist for more information on our clinical trial or email us at NutriCare@tufts.edu. You can also click here to find out whether you are eligible for this study. We hope that this study will add to an evidence base that supports systematically integrating nutrition support into cancer care and improve cancer patient outcomes for patients, survivors, and caregivers. 


Study Information

WHY IS THIS STUDY IMPORTANT?

Good nutrition often reduces the side effects of cancer treatment, like feeling tired. Staying nourished can also improve the long-term health beyond cancer treatment. The NutriCare study aims to assess how nutrition counseling and home-delivered meals tailored to the individuals needs and preferences impacts the health of those undergoing cancer treatment. We think it may improve health, reduce side effects of treatment, and improve some outcomes, like feeling tired.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Patients with lung cancer who are at least 18 years of age may be eligible for this study. We can quickly determine if you are eligible by asking a few short questions.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE STUDY?

If you are eligible for this study, you will be asked to sign an informed consent form and randomly selected into one of two groups. If you are selected for the NutriTool group, you will receive information to help improve your nutrition. If you are selected for the NutriCare group, you will receive a nutrition packet, nutrition counseling, and home delivery of medically tailored meals. You will be asked to complete study questionnaires at 3 study visits: initial study visit, 6 months, and 8 months. You will receive a gift card each time you complete the surveys

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
  • Completing the surveys may take 90 minutes.
  • Nutrition counseling will be remote. This means you can do this in the privacy of your own home and when convenient.
  • You will receive a $25 gift card after the initial study visit, a $50 gift card after the 3-month study visit, and a $75 gift card after the 8-month study visit.
  • Your participation is voluntary. Your choice will not have any effect on the care you get at the oncology clinic you go to.
  • Your participation is completely voluntary. Your choice will not have any effect on the care you get at the oncology clinic you go to.

Nutrition Counseling

 

Cancer treatment can be a difficult process and often causes nutrition-related side effects. If you are randomized to the NutriCare group, our Registered Dietitians will support you through these changes with brief weekly nutrition counseling sessions. These sessions will help support you during your cancer treatment to combat common side effects you may experience. In addition, our dietitians are specifically trained in oncology nutrition and can guide you in staying strong and well-nourished when it may be a challenge to eat. Maintaining good nutrition during treatment has many benefits:

  • Maintains body weight and muscle mass to keep you strong and prevent fatigue.
  • Reduces interruptions in cancer treatment.
  • Increases tolerance to treatment.
  • Improves quality of life.

Nutrition is critically important during cancer care, and we are here to help!

NutriCare Dietitians

Individually Tailored Meals

 

With oncology appointments and busy schedules, we understand it can be difficult to get meals on the table. To help ease the burden, patients randomized into the NutriCare group will receive complete meals delivered directly to their home. These convenient meals:

  • Are individually tailored to each person’s preferences and nutrition needs.
  • Packaged to provide a tasty meal in a matter of minutes with no food prep required.
  • Include snacks and a wide variety of food selections.
NutriCare MANNA Meals

NutriCare Toolkit

The NutriCare Evidence-Based Nutrition Toolkit for Cancer Survivors includes evidence-based recommendations from four sources: (1) American Cancer Society Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Survivors; (2) World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research Cancer Nutrition Guide; (3) National Cancer Institute Eating Hints; and (4) National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines for Cancer Survivors. The Toolkit outlines topics about the impact of cancer treatment on dietary intake patterns, strategies to manage treatment-related eating issues, maintain a healthy weight post-treatment, evidence-based recommendations, and practical strategies for improving diet quality and maintain an optimal weight during and after treatment.

Evidence-Based Nutrition Toolkit for Cancer Survivors

 

Resources for Nutrition Recommendations Designed for Cancer Survivors