Investigating the Modifications of Sugar Perception and Consumption in Cancer Patients

Abstract

The idea that sugar feeds the tumor cells is relayed by some health professionals and media alike. Patients may be torn between what they read in the media and their food preferences during and after treatment. With this survey, we aim at understanding the perception and overall consumption patterns of sugar in cancer patients together with possible physiological and psychological triggers. We decided not to include quantitative nutritional measures of the sugar consumption. The survey was distributed in a hospital setting and through a cancer support online network. Results have shown that opinion on sugar was globally “average”. However, there were differences depending on sex and age. Half of the patients declared having a decreased consumption of sugar and sweet products while 26% declared an increased consumption. When looking at psychological triggers to consumption, the weight of fatigue and worry increased after cancer diagnosis compared to before. Environmental triggers such as mixed messages from health professionals or the media need to be further investigated. In line with ESPEN guidelines, we advise to maintain moderate sugar intake as part of a healthy diet to prevent malnutrition as a first line of defense against cancer-associated morbidity and mortality.

Acknowledgments

We would like to particularly acknowledge the patients as well as the different staffs of the Beauvais Hospital who have contributed to this work but also the VFBF members who took time to answer our survey.

Disclosure Statement

None to declare.

Additional information

Funding

The NEODIA program (2010–2017) received the 2017 special award of the jury at the World Hospitality and Food Service Event (SIHRA). As the research program is labeled and funded by the regional health agency (ARS) of Hauts de France, the French National Program of Diet (PNA), the French League against cancer (departmental committee of Oise), and Ligue Contre le Cancer. The French Agency of sugar research and data sourcing (CEDUS) funded this present work. No interference of the funding body was made on the authors regarding the design of the survey or interpretation of the data.