Changes in food habits in cancer patients in Italy: a survey. AIOM - SINPE - FAVO

•Cancer patients appear to be very attentive to diet-related information.•More than half of patients change food habits during cancer treatment.•Patients' reason for changing are healthier diet, cancer sites, and side effects.•Major changes reflect some indications for cancer prevention.•Nutrition intervention specific for cancer sites and treatment are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of cancer patients changing their diet in relation to cancer site, sex, age and geographic distribution. Furthermore, we aimed to explore the rationale behind dietary changes and to identify sources of information in order to plan specific educational training. Patients ≥18 y of age who accessed the Italian Cancer Patients, Families and Friends Association information points were invited to participate. An ad hoc self-report questionnaire was used. The questionnaire asked patients about changes made to the major food groups. A minimum sample of 100 patients for the most common cancers was planned. We analyzed 1257 questionnaires. We assessed the prevalence of, reasons for, and type of dietary changes. Logistic regression was used to analyze the main determinants of dietary changes. Of the 1257 patients, 705 (56.1%) reported changes since receiving the diagnosis of cancer. On the logistic regression analysis, age and tumor site were significantly associated with dietary changes (P