Empowering VCU Massey Cancer Patients Through Nutrition
Research
Research is a critical component of our Food is Medicine initiative. Through collaboration with local and national partners, our research efforts not only benefits patients by providing evidence-based nutrition interventions but also contributes to advancing the field and shaping the future of food as a vital tool in medicine.
Registry of Food Insecure Cancer Patients
Primary Objective:
To create and maintain a registry of cancer patients at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center who experience food insecurity, with the goal of identifying key risk factors, trends, and outcomes related to food insecurity in this population.
Secondary Objectives:
1. To assess the prevalence of food insecurity among cancer patients at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.
2. To explore associations between food insecurity and treatment adherence, clinical outcomes, and quality of life in cancer patients.
3. To evaluate the impact of socio-demographic factors such as income status, employment, and insurance type.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Food Insecurity Among U.S. Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review
Primary Aim:
To map the prevalence of food insecurity among U.S. cancer patients from Feb. 1, 2020 through present (Nov. 1, 2024).
Secondary Aims:
1. To summarize evidence associated with socio-economic risk factors for food insecurity during COVID-19
2. To examine the impact of food insecurity on treatment adherence among U.S. cancer patients
3. To review existing literature on interventions that address food insecurity.
Trends and Predictors of Food Insecurity Among Cancer Patients Using Machine Learning
This study examines food insecurity trends among U.S. cancer patients using NHANES data from 1999 to 2023. Machine learning techniques identify key factors influencing food insecurity in this vulnerable population by demographic, socioeconomic, health, and dietary variables. The research highlights how factors income, treatment costs, and comorbidities impact food security, offering insights for targeted interventions and policy.
