Lifestyle and dietary changes among cancer patients receiving active treatment: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary care center in Lebanon

Publisher abstract

Background Cancer diagnosis is often accompanied by changes in nutritional needs and lifestyle habits, which may ultimately be associated with patients’ quality of life (QOL). Despite the high burden of cancer in Lebanon, limited data exist on how dietary intake and lifestyle behaviors change following diagnosis. This study aimed to assess self-reported retrospective changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviors following cancer diagnosis and examine factors associated with these changes and their relationship with QOL. Methods This single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted at Al Zahraa Hospital University Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon. Adult cancer patients receiving active treatment were assessed regarding self-reported dietary and lifestyle behaviors before and after cancer diagnosis. QOL was assessed using the validated Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G). Results This study included 145 participants, the majority of whom were Lebanese (93.79%) and female (69.7%). Most lacked health insurance (84.8%), and 91.0% reported a financial burden related to treatment. Compared with recalled pre-diagnosis behaviors, 47.6% of participants reported favorable changes in smoking behavior, while 34.5% reported decreased physical activity. The most frequently reported favorable dietary changes according to the prespecified framework were reduced sugar (60.0%), reduced red meat (49.6%), and reduced fast-food consumption (34.5%). Younger age and employment were associated with the favorable dietary-change score in bivariate analyses, while age and marital status were associated with tobacco-habit change in multivariable analysis; medical insurance was associated with physical-activity change in bivariate analysis. The mean FACT-G total score was 70.48 ± 20.79. Favorable dietary changes were associated with FACT-G scores, including changes in fruit, milk, and fast-food intake. Conclusions Self-reported retrospective changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviors were observed among patients receiving active cancer treatment, with substantial variation across behavioral domains. The favorable dietary-change score was associated with QOL; however, the cross-sectional design and retrospective assessment preclude causal or directional interpretation. These findings may inform future longitudinal and interventional studies evaluating structured, individualized nutritional and lifestyle support during cancer treatment in Lebanon.