Effects of Administering Dietetics to Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy on Preventing and Decreasing Malnutrition

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this research was to determine the effect of dietetics in preventing and reducing malnutrition in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. This study enrolled 147 cancer patients receiving radiotherapy who had just started treatment at Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. All of the enrolled patients had just started radiotherapy, could communicate readily, and agreed to take part in the study. The data were obtained using patient information sheets, the Subjective Global Assessment Scale (SGA), and anthropometric measurements. Weight measurements were performed in the experimental group after education and revealed that weight increased in 23% of patients, decreased in 40.5%, and remained stable in 36.5% of subjects. In the control group, 23.3% of patients exhibited an increase in weight, 43.8% experienced a decrease, and 32.9% remained stable. Statistical analyses revealed a significant difference among groups after education (p<0.05). The use of dietetics (nutrition education) reduced malnutrition. Therefore, nurses should administer dietetics regularly to patients undergoing radiotherapy to reduce malnutrition