Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40640799›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2025

Nutritional impact symptoms and dietary changes among women in a cancer support network: a qualitative analysis.

Keisha C Samlal, Akil J Williams, Breane Charles, Christian Ramsaran, Leann Ramkissoon, Marylisa Ramlal, Sophia Brown, Marisa Nimrod, Marsha A Ivey

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Keisha C SamlalDepartment of Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. keisha.samlal@uwi.edu.
Akil J WilliamsDepartment of Para-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Breane CharlesDepartment of Para-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Christian RamsaranDepartment of Para-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Leann RamkissoonDepartment of Para-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Marylisa RamlalDepartment of Para-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Sophia BrownDepartment of Para-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Marisa NimrodThe Caribbean Association for Oncology and Hematology, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Marsha A IveyDepartment of Para-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo examine nutritional impact symptoms and dietary changes experienced by cancer patients in Trinidad, as well as the nutritional support and guidance they received during treatment.

methodA qualitative study was conducted of 12 adult cancer patients who were diagnosed within the last five years, undergoing treatment and recruited from a non-profit organisation. Participants' experiences with dietary changes and nutritional needs were examined through face-to-face interviews guided by 21 semi-structured questions. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically using Dedoose© software.

resultsTwelve participants were interviewed, from which three major themes emerged: Nutrition Impact Symptoms (NIS), Dietary Changes, and Lack of Information. Participants experienced a combination of symptoms during treatment: nausea, metallic taste, constipation, fatigue, and loss of appetite, taste and smell. Dietary changes included the introduction of new foods and the decrease or eliminations of others, portion sizes and meal frequency. Intake restrictions were also noted for flour, sugar, processed foods, artificially flavoured foods/beverages, and meats (chicken, beef and pork). Limited information and dietary guidance were received from healthcare professionals; participants relied on personal research, information from other cancer patients and support groups.

conclusionThere is a need for capacity-building initiatives that train healthcare professionals to deliver appropriate nutritional guidance. Efforts are needed to integrate dietary education into public health initiatives which could empower patients and caregivers to make informed decisions about nutrition during treatment.

Indexed as

DietNeoplasmsNutritional StatusAdultAgedFemaleHumansMiddle AgedNutritional SupportQualitative ResearchCancerCancer SupportCaribbeanDietNutrition Impact Symptoms

Identifiers

PMID40640799
PMCPMC12243314

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.