Experiences of cancer patients in receiving dietary advice from healthcare professionals and of healthcare professionals in providing this advice—a systematic review

Purpose: This systematic review investigated qualitative and quantitative studies exploring patients and healthcare professionals’ (HCP) experience of nutrition care throughout the cancer journey. Methods: Five databases were systematically searched for studies reporting on patient and healthcare professionals’ experience of nutrition advice. Results: Fifteen studies including 374 patients and 471 healthcare professionals were included. Findings indicate that patients desire more specific nutrition advice supported by members of the multidisciplinary team and delivered in appropriate and understandable language. Healthcare professionals have highlighted a lack of time, funding, dietetic roles, and knowledge as barriers to integrating nutrition as a standard part of cancer care. Five themes were identified (current provision of nutrition advice, optimal provision of nutrition advice, tension between patient values and nutritional or HCP priorities, providing evidence-based nutrition care, and practical barriers to nutrition advice provision). Conclusions: Further work is essential to better understand and address identified barriers and improve the provision of nutrition advice to this population. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Findings from this review will guide the delivery of nutrition advice for cancer survivors.