University of Alabama at Birmingham
Presentation Abstract
Weight Loss and Dietary Interventions During Cancer Treatment
Diet and weight management are key concerns expressed by most individuals diagnosed with cancer. Surveys among various populations of cancer survivors show high levels of interest in these topics ranging from 48% of prostate cancer (PC) patients to 86% of teenage, adolescent, and young adult (TAYA) survivors. Additionally, within these populations there is an expressed preference for the delivery of this information either at diagnosis or soon thereafter, ranging from 44% (TAYA) to 62% (PC). However, there appears to be a substantial gap as estimates suggest that 28-47% of patients report no such guidance. Qualitative studies among oncologists suggest an acknowledgement of the importance of diet for overall health; however, a lack of evidence in cancer-related outcomes prevents many from addressing these issues during treatment. Indeed, the evidence-base is meager, with a handful of studies that are largely underpowered and that utilize quasi-experimental designs dispersed over several different dietary regimens. An overview of this research is presented within this talk, concluding with a need for more research, yet reinforcing current dietary guidelines that serve as a proven cornerstone for achieving long-term health (especially during this critical period or opportunity to ride on the crest of the teachable moment).
About Dr. Demark-Wahnefried
Dr. Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Ph.D., R.D. is Professor and Webb Endowed Chair of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and Associate Director for Cancer Prevention and Control at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. Her research ranges from determining mechanisms of action of nutrition-based therapies to developing and testing home-based interventions that are scalable, and which improve diet, physical activity, and functional status among cancer survivors. To date, this research has been supported by 16 National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants and has resulted in over 300 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Demark-Wahnefried has been recognized as a Komen Professor of Survivorship and an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professor. She has served on several committees, including the National Cancer Policy Forum of the National Academy of Sciences, guidelines panels of the American Cancer Society, World Cancer Research Fund, American College of Sports Medicine, and American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Biden Cancer Initiative, and as a study section member for the NIH Center of Scientific Review. Currently, her research team is testing the impact of three web-based diet (weight loss) and exercise interventions entitled AiM, Plan and act on LIFestYles (AMPLIFY) among older survivors of obesity-related cancers across the continental United States.
Dr. Demark-Wahnefried did not disclose any conflicts of interest for this workshop.