A Cross-sectional Study to Assess the Nutritional Status of Cancer Clients at Selected Hospitals of Mangaluru – A Pilot Study

Aims: Malnutrition is an overlooked and undertreated problem among the cancer population. It is necessary to identify at-risk patients early and provide appropriate and effective nutritional interventions which in turn help the cancer patients to improve treatment tolerance and prognosis. Hence, the study was undertaken with the aim to assess the nutritional status of cancer clients admitted in the hospital.

Study design: A cross sectional descriptive survey was used.

Place and Duration of Study: Oncology wards of the AJ Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Mangalore between December 2019 to March 2020, then again December 2020 to February 2021.

Methodology: We included 100 cancer patients (39 males and 61 females). Participants were selected purposively. Head, neck and breast cancer patients who are aged above 18 years, admitted in the wards were included in the study. Data were collected by using demographic proforma and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scale.

Results: Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that more than half (56%) of the cancer clients are malnourished and 43% are at risk for malnutrition. Study found that there is a significant association of degree of malnutrition with demographic variables such as education and family income (at p=.05)

Conclusion: Based on the result, it was concluded that the patients with cancer should undergo nutrition screening at the early so that appropriate nutrition intervention could be planned to have positive outcomes.