Food Insecurity Among People With Cancer: Nutritional Needs as an Essential Component of Care

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Abstract
A cancer diagnosis can upend work and family life, leading patients to reallocate resources away from essentials such as food. Estimates of the percentage of people navigating a cancer diagnosis and food insecurity range between 17% and 55% of the cancer patient population. The complexity of addressing food insecurity among those diagnosed with cancer during different phases of treatment is multifactorial and often requires an extensive network of support throughout each phase. This commentary explores the issue of food insecurity in the context of cancer care, explores current mitigation efforts, and offers a call to action to create a path for food insecurity mitigation in the context of cancer. Three programs that address food insecurity among those with cancer at various stages of care are highlighted, drawing attention to current impact and actionable recommendations to make programs like these scalable and sustainable. Recommendations are grounded in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine social care framework through 5 essential domain areas: awareness, adjustment, assistance, alignment, and advocacy. This commentary seeks to highlight opportunities for the optimization of cancer care and reframe food access as an essential part of treatment and long-term care plans.
Funding Information
  • National Cancer Policy Forum
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • National Cancer Institute
  • National Institutes of Health
  • American Association for Cancer Research
  • American Cancer Society
  • American College of Radiology
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • Association of American Cancer Institutes
  • Association of Community Cancer Centers, Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • CEO Roundtable on Cancer, Flatiron Health
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network
  • National Patient Advocate Foundation, Novartis Oncology
  • Oncology Nursing Society, Pfizer, Inc, Sanofi
  • Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer
  • NIH
  • NIMHD (R01 MD 012630, NIA R01 AG 064949)

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