Evaluating Satisfaction and Benefit from Nutrition Counseling from a Registered Dietitian among Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy.

<p>The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with head or neck cancer receiving radiation were satisfied with the nutrition counseling they were receiving and if they obtained any benefit. Radiation to the head or neck region promotes side effects such as taste changes and chewing and swallowing difficultly that decrease food and fluid intake. A reduction in nutrients leads to weight loss, and weight loss in cancer patients increases the risk of morbidity and morality as well as decreases quality of life. Subjects were recruited from a local cancer treatment facility and a survey was administered. Subjects were found to manage the side effects better after counseling from the registered dietitian, and a minimal amount of weight loss was observed. Registered dietitians when incorporated into a radiation treatment facility can provide an effective 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

2007

Author dc:creator

• Watson, Lori E

• cancer
• nutrition counseling
• radiation
• side effects
• weight loss
• Human and Clinical Nutrition
• Life Sciences
• Nutrition

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2078

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-3439