Evaluating Satisfaction and Benefit of Nutrition Counseling Provided by a Registered Dietitian among Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy.

<p>The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with cancer receiving radiation therapy were satisfied with the nutrition counseling they were receiving and if they obtained any benefit. Radiation increases the risk for side effects such as taste changes, chewing/swallowing problems, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. When these side effects are present, a decrease in food and fluid intake occurs, which leads to weight loss, increased risk of morbidity and mortality, as well as decreased quality of life. Subjects were recruited from a regional cancer treatment facility and a survey was administered to those who met criteria. Subjects were found to manage some of their side effects better after counseling from the registered dietitian. A minimal amount of weight loss was observed. Therefore, registered dietitians, when effectively incorporated into a radiation treatment facility, can provide a nutrition program targeted at reducing weight loss and improving quality of life.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Clinical Nutrition

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Stuart, Bethany A

• cancer
• dietitian
• radiation
• side effects
• weight loss
• nutrition counseling
• Medicine and Health
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Sociology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1941

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-3293