The Influence of Online Self-Help Groups on Nutrition Management on the Nutritional Status of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Abstract
Background: Chemotherapy can result in toxicity that can affect the nutritional status of cancer patients. Symptoms that are side effects of chemotherapy include anorexia, changes in taste, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, and constipation, which can lead to inadequate food intake and consequently result in malnutrition in cancer patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of nutrition management of online self-help groups (SHGs) on the nutritional status of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Method: The research results indicated an increase in the number of patients with wellnourished status after the intervention, specifically from 42.9% to 54.3%, with a p-value of 0.046, signifying that there was an impact of the self-help group on the nutritional status of cancer patients.
Results: There was a significant influence of online SHGs intervention on the nutritional status of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Therefore, this intervention can be considered as one of the alternatives for improving nutritional management in cancer patients.
Conclusion: The identification of CA-125 levels in diagnosing ovarian cancer in ovarian tumor patients with suspected malignancy was a promising test with high diagnostic accuracy levels.
Keywords
DOI: 10.33371/ijoc.v19i2.1228
Article Metrics
Abstract View: 525, 
PDF Download: 147
References
National Cancer Institute. What Is Cancer? [Internet]. USA: National Cancer Institute; 2021 [cited 2024 January 30]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer
Nayak M, George A, Vidyasagar M, et al. Quality of Life among Cancer Patients. Indian J Palliat Care. 2017;23(4):445–450.
International Agency for Research on Cancer. Cancer Today [Internet]. France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2024 [cited 2024 January 30]. Available from: Https://GcoIarcWhoInt/Media/Globocan/Factsheets/Cancers/39-All-Cancers-Fact-SheetPdf 2024.
Torre LA, Bray F, Siegel RL, et al. Global cancer statistics, 2012. CA Cancer J Clin. 2015;65(2):87–108.
Üstündag S, Zencirci AD. Factors affecting the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A questionnaire study. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2015;2(1):17–25.
Wu YT, Xu Z, Zhang K, et al. Efficacy and cardiac safety of the concurrent use of trastuzumab and anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy for HER2-positive breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2018 Sep 26;14:1789-1797.
van der Werf A, Blauwhoff-Buskermolen S, Langius JA, et al. The effect of individualized NUTritional counseling on muscle mass and treatment outcome in patients with metastatic COLOrectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Cancer. 2015 Mar 5;15:98.
Tong H, Isenring E, Yates P. The prevalence of nutrition impact symptoms and their relationship to quality of life and clinical outcomes in medical oncology patients. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2009;17(1):83–90.
Lin T, Yang J, Hong X, et al. Nutritional status in patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy: a prospective observational study. Nutr Cancer. 2020;72(7):1225–1230.
Citak E, Tulek Z, Uzel O. Nutritional status in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy: a longitudinal study. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2019;27(1):239–247.
Ge T, Lin T, Yang J, Wang M. Nutritional status and related factors of patients with advanced lung cancer in northern China: a retrospective study. Cancer Manag Res. 2019 Mar 19;11:2225–2231.
Wagland R, Richardson A, Armes J, Hankins M, Lennan E, Griffiths P. Treatment-related problems experienced by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a scoping review. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2015;24(5):605–617.
Isenring E, Cross G, Kellett E, Koczwara B, Daniels L. Nutritional Status and Information Needs of Medical Oncology Patients Receiving Treatment at an Australian Public Hospital. Nutr Cancer 2010;62(2): 220–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/01635580903305276.
Loeliger J, Kiss N. Phase II Malnutrition in Victorian Cancer Services: summary report [Internet]. Melbourne: Victorian Government; 2015 [cited 2024 January 30]. Available from: https://content.health.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/files/collections/research-and-reports/s/summary-report-for-phase-ii-malnutrition-in-vcs_finalised_aug-2015.pdf.
Haskins CP, Champ CE, Miller R, Vyfhuis MAL. Nutrition in Cancer: Evidence and Equality. Adv Radiat Oncol 2020;5(5):817–823.
Khasnabis C, Heinicke MK, Achu K, Al Jubah K, Brodtkorb S, Chervin P, et al. Community-Based Rehabilitation: CBR Guidelines [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010 [cited 2024 January 27]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26290927/.
Klaw E, Luong D. Self-Help Groups. Inc: John Wiley & Sons [Internet]. USA: John Wiley & Sons; 2010 [cited 2024 January 27]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281411675_Self-help_groups.
Farrand P, Woodford J. Impact of support on the effectiveness of written cognitive behavioural self-help: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clin Psychol Rev 2013;33(1):182–195.
Gualano MR, Bert F, Martorana M, Voglino G, Andriolo V, Thomas R, et al. The long-term effects of bibliotherapy in depression treatment: Systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Clin Psychol Rev 2017;58:49–58.
Haug T, Nordgreen T, Öst LG, Havik OE. Self-help treatment of anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis and meta-regression of effects and potential moderators. Clin Psychol Rev 2012;32(5):425–445.
Munn-Giddings C, Borkman T. Self-help/mutual aid as part of the psychosocial paradigm [Internet]. Aldershot: Ashgate Press; 2005 [cited 2024 January 27]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237075028_Munn-Giddings_C_Borkman_T_2005_Self-helpMutual_Aid_as_part_of_the_Psychosocial_Paradigm_in_Ramon_S_Williams_J_eds_Mental_Health_at_the_Crossroads_The_promise_of_the_psychosocial_approach_Aldershot_Ash.
Relawati A, Hakimi M, Huriah T. The Influence of Self-Help Groups on the Quality of Life of Hemodialysis Patients at Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta General Health Center Hospital. Jurnal Ilmiah Kesehatan Keperawatan 2015;11(3):122-135.
Aardoom JJ, Dingemans AE, Spinhoven P, Van Furth EF. Treating eating disorders over the internet: A systematic review and future research directions. International Journal of Eating Disorders 2013;46(6):539–552.
Smit D, Vrijsen JN, Groeneweg B, Vellinga-Dings A, Peelen J, Spijker J. A Newly Developed Online Peer Support Community for Depression (Depression Connect): Qualitative Study. J Med Internet Res 2021;23(7):1-18.
Jadad AR, Haynes RB, Hunt D, Browman GP. The Internet and evidence-based decision-making: a needed synergy for efficient knowledge management in health care 2000;162(3):362-365.
Merolli M, Gray K, Martin-Sanchez F. Health outcomes and related effects of using social media in chronic disease management: A literature review and analysis of affordances. J Biomed Inform 2013;46(6):957–969.
Partridge SR, Gallagher P, Freeman B, Gallagher R. Facebook Groups for the Management of Chronic Diseases. J Med Internet Res 2018;20(1):1-6.
Bardhan I, Chen H, Karahanna E. Connecting systems, data, and people: A multidisciplinary research roadmap for chronic disease management. MIS Q 2020;44(1):185–200.
Maurício SF, Xiao J, Prado CM, Gonzalez MC, Correia MITD. Different nutritional assessment tools as predictors of postoperative complications in patients undergoing colorectal cancer resection. Clinical Nutrition 2018;37(5):1505–1511.
Nitichai N, Angkatavanich J, Somlaw N, Voravud N, Lertbutsayanukul C. Validation of the Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) in Thai Setting and Association with Nutritional Parameters in Cancer Patients. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2019;20(4):1249-1255.
Wiegert EVM, Padilha P de C, Peres WAF. Performance of Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG‐SGA) in Patients With Advanced Cancer in Palliative Care. Nutrition in Clinical Practice 2017;32(5):675–681.
Martin L, Watanabe S, Fainsinger R, Lau F, Ghosh S, Quan H, et al. Prognostic Factors in Patients With Advanced Cancer: Use of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment in Survival Prediction. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2010;28(28):4376–4383.
Bauer J, Capra S, Ferguson M. Use of the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) as a nutrition assessment tool in patients with cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr 2002;56(8):779–785.
Cristina Gonzalez M, Borges LR, Silveira DH, Cecília M, Assunção F, Orlandi SP. Validation of the Portuguese version of the patient-generated subjective global assessment. Rev Bras Nutr Clin 2010; 25 (2):102-108.
Ottery F. Definition of standardized nutritional assessment and interventional pathways in oncology. Nutrition 1996;12(1 Suppl):115-119.
van den Borne HW, Pruyn JFA, van Dam-de Mey K. Self-help in cancer patients: A review of studies on the effects of contacts between fellow-patients. Patient Educ Couns 1986;8:367–385.
Keliat BA. The model of mental health nursing practice. Jakarta: EGC; 2009.
Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2019. CA Cancer J Clin 2019;69(1):7–34.
Cook MB, McGlynn KA, Devesa SS, Freedman ND, Anderson WF. Sex Disparities in Cancer Mortality and Survival. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 2011;20(8):1629–1637.
Jung K-W, Park S, Shin A, Oh C-M, Kong H-J, Jun JK, et al. Do Female Cancer Patients Display Better Survival Rates Compared with Males? Analysis of the Korean National Registry Data, 2005–2009. PLoS One 2012;7(12):1-6.
Afshar N, English DR, Thursfield V, Mitchell PL, Te Marvelde L, Farrugia H, et al. Differences in cancer survival by sex: a population-based study using cancer registry data. Cancer Causes & Control 2018;29(11):1059–1069.
Azap RA, Hyer JM, Diaz A, Tsilimigras DI, Mirdad RS, Pawlik TM. Sex‐based differences in time to surgical care among pancreatic cancer patients: A national study of Medicare beneficiaries. J Surg Oncol 2021;23(1):236-244.
Ciążyńska M, Kamińska-Winciorek G, Lange D, Lewandowski B, Reich A, Sławińska M, et al. The incidence and clinical analysis of non-melanoma skin cancer. Sci Rep 2021;11(1):4337.
Sedrak MS, Freedman RA, Cohen HJ, Muss HB, Jatoi A, Klepin HD, et al. Older adult participation in cancer clinical trials: A systematic review of barriers and interventions. CA Cancer J Clin 2021;71(1):78–92.
Chen FW, Sundaram V, Chew TA, Ladabaum U. Advanced-Stage Colorectal Cancer in Persons Younger Than 50 Years Not Associated With Longer Duration of Symptoms or Time to Diagnosis. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2017;15(5):728-737.e3.
Braveman P, Egerter S, Williams DR. The Social Determinants of Health: Coming of Age. Annu Rev Public Health 2011;32: 381–398. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031210-101218.
Erhunmwunsee L, Joshi MM, Conlon DH, Harpole DH. Neighborhood‐level socioeconomic determinants impact outcomes in nonsmall cell lung cancer patients in the Southeastern United States. Cancer
;118(20):5117–5123.
Ebner PJ, Ding L, Kim AW, Atay SM, Yao MJ, Toubat O, et al. The Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Treatment and Mortality in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Ann Thorac Surg 2020;109(1):225–232.
Tannenbaum SL, Koru-Sengul T, Zhao W, Miao F, Byrne MM. Survival Disparities in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer by Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status. The Cancer Journal 2014;20(4):237–245.
Yang R, Cheung MC, Byrne MM, Huang Y, Nguyen D, Lally BE, et al. Do racial or socioeconomic disparities exist in lung cancer treatment? Cancer 2010;116(10):2437–47.
Piotrkowska R, Kruk A, Krzemińska A, Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska W, Kwiecień-Jaguś K. Factors Determining the Level of Acceptance of Illness and Satisfaction with Life in Patients with Cancer. Healthcare 2023;11(8):1-13.
Fowler H, Belot A, Ellis L, Maringe C, Luque-Fernandez MA, Njagi EN, et al. Comorbidity prevalence among cancer patients: a population-based cohort study of four cancers. BMC Cancer 2020;20(1):1-15.
Sarfati D, Gurney J, Lim BT, Bagheri N, Simpson A, Koea J, et al. Identifying important comorbidity among cancer populations using administrative data: Prevalence and impact on survival. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2016;12(1):e47-56.
Luque-Fernandez MA, Redondo-Sanchez D, Lee SF, Rodríguez-Barranco M, Carmona-García C, Marcos-Gragera R, et al. Multimorbidity by Patient and Tumor Factors and Time-to-Surgery Among Colorectal Cancer Patients in Spain: A Population-Based Study. Clinical Epidemiology 2020;12:31-40.
Yilmaz H, Namuslu M, Bilgic MA, Bavbek N, Akcay A. The coexistence of renal cell carcinoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with hypercalcemic crisis as the initial presentation. Endocr Regul 2014;48(3):113–119.
Haskins CP, Champ CE, Miller R, Vyfhuis MAL. Nutrition in Cancer: Evidence and Equality. Adv Radiat Oncol 2020;5:817–823.
van Bokhorst-de van der Schueren MAE, van Leeuwen PAM, Sauerwein HP, Kuik DJ, Snow GB, Quak JJ. Assessment of malnutrition parameters in head and neck cancer and their relation to postoperative complications. Head Neck 1997;19(5):419–425.
Grosvenor M, Bulcavage L, Chlebowski RT. Symptoms potentially influencing weight loss in a cancer population. Correlations with primary site, nutritional status, and chemotherapy administration. Cancer 1989;63(2):330–334.
Kern K, Norton J. Cancer cachexia. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 1988;12(1):286–298.
Stene GB, Helbostad JL, Amundsen T, Sørhaug S, Hjelde H, Kaasa S, et al. Changes in skeletal muscle mass during palliative chemotherapy in patients with advanced lung cancer. Acta Oncol (Madr) 2015;54(3):340–348.
Deutz NEP, Safar A, Schutzler S, Memelink R, Ferrando A, Spencer H, et al. Muscle protein synthesis in cancer patients can be stimulated with a specially formulated medical food. Clinical Nutrition 2011;30(6):759–768.
Prado CM, Cushen SJ, Orsso CE, Ryan AM. Sarcopenia and cachexia in the era of obesity: clinical and nutritional impact. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2016;75(2):188–198.
Yavuzsen T, Davis MP, Walsh D, LeGrand S, Lagman R. Systematic Review of the Treatment of Cancer-Associated Anorexia and Weight Loss. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2005;23(33):8500–8511.
Benoist S, Brouquet A. Nutritional assessment and screening for malnutrition. J Visc Surg 2015;152(Suppl 1):S3–7.
Monteiro-Grillo I, Vidal PM, Camilo ME, Ravasco P. Cancer: disease and nutrition are key determinants of patients? quality of life. Supportive Care in Cancer 2004;12(4):246–252.
Ravasco P, Monteiro-Grillo I, Marques Vidal P, Camilo ME. Impact of nutrition on outcome: A prospective randomized controlled trial in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Head Neck 2005;27(8):659–668.
Ravasco P, Monteiro-Grillo I, Vidal PM, Camilo ME. Dietary Counseling Improves Patient Outcomes: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial in Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2005;23(7):1431–1438.
Ravasco P, Monteiro-Grillo I, Camilo ME. Does nutrition influence quality of life in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy? Radiotherapy and Oncology. 2003;67(2):213–220.
Lin T, Yang J, Hong X, et al. Nutritional status in patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy: a prospective observational study. Nutr Cancer. 2020;72(7):1225–1230.
Bauer J, Capra S, Ferguson M. Use of the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) as a nutrition assessment tool in patients with cancer. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002;56(8):779–785.
Susetyowati S, Kurniasari FN, Sholikhati AS, et al. Assessment of Nutritional Status in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Before Radiotherapy: A Single-center, Cross-sectional Study. Medeni Med J. 2024 Mar 21;39(1):24-32.
Viana ECR de M, Oliveira I da S, Rechinelli AB, et al. Malnutrition and nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) in surgical patients with cancer. PLoS One. 2020;15(12):1-12.
McCaughan E, Parahoo K, Hueter I, Northouse L. Online support groups for women with breast cancer. In: McCaughan E, editor. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 2015;3(3):1-38. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011652.
Taylor SE, Falke RL, Shoptaw SJ, Lichtman RR. Social support, support groups, and the cancer patient. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1986;54(5):608–615.
Bret R. Shaw FMR. Experiences of Women with Breast Cancer: Exchanging Social Support over the CHESS Computer Network. J Health Commun. 2000;5(2):135–159.
Meyer A, Coroiu A, Korner A. One-to-one peer support in cancer care: a review of scholarship published between 2007 and 2014. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2015;24(3):299–312.
Klaw, Elena and Desiree Luong. Self-Help Groups. Pp. 1538–540 in The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology, edited by Irving B. Weiner and W. Edward Craighead. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 2010.
Mok BH. Cancer Self-Help Groups in China. Small Group Res. 2001;32(2):115–132.
Isenring EA, Bauer JD, Capra S. Nutrition Support Using the American Dietetic Association Medical Nutrition Therapy Protocol for Radiation Oncology Patients Improves Dietary Intake Compared with Standard Practice. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007;107(3):404–412.
Orell H, Schwab U, Saarilahti K, et al. Nutritional Counseling for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing (Chemo) Radiotherapy—A Prospective Randomized Trial. Front Nutr. 2019;6(22):1-12.
Arends J, Bachmann P, Baracos V, et al. ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients. Clinical Nutrition. 2017;36(1):11–48.
Arends J, Baracos V, Bertz H, et al. ESPEN expert group recommendations for action against cancer-related malnutrition. Clinical Nutrition 2017;36(5):1187–1196.
de las Peñas R, Majem M, Perez-Altozano J, et al. SEOM clinical guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients (2018). Clinical and Translational Oncology. 2019;21(1):87–93.
Talwar B, Donnelly R, Skelly R, Donaldson M. Nutritional management in head and neck cancer: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines. J Laryngol Otol. 2016;130(S2):S32–40.
Thompson KL, Elliott L, Fuchs-Tarlovsky V, et al. Oncology Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline for Adults. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017;117(2):297-310.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Email this article 
