RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Oncology, Undernutrition and Sensoriality: Links, Mechanisms and Levers for Action

This study, called 'Oncology, Undernutrition and Sensoriality', investigates how cancer and its treatments can change eating habits, taste, and smell, particularly in people newly diagnosed with mouth, throat, bowel, or liver cancer. These cancers are often linked to a higher risk of not getting enough nutrients. The research aims to understand the reasons behind these changes, including how they affect a person's enjoyment of food and overall health. By looking at things like taste and smell, and how a person's food choices are affected, the study hopes to find better ways to support patients, manage nutrition, and improve their quality of life during cancer treatment.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon

Enrolment target

306

Start

06 Sep 2024

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2027

Newly Diagnosed Cancer of the Oropharynx, Oral Cavity, Colon or Liver

What is this study about?

When you're dealing with a new cancer diagnosis, especially cancers of the mouth, throat, bowel, or liver, many changes can happen to your body. One important area we're looking into is how cancer and its treatments can affect your nutrition, and your senses of taste and smell. Up to 1 in 5 cancer patient deaths are actually due to not getting enough nutrients, not just the disease itself, so it's a very important area to understand.

Cancer and its treatments, like chemotherapy or radiotherapy, can sometimes make it harder to eat well. This might be because your body needs more energy to fight the cancer, or because your taste and smell change, making food less enjoyable. We know that many patients change their diet after diagnosis, sometimes to eat healthier, but often because food tastes different or they lose their appetite. These changes can reduce your joy of eating and make it harder to get the nutrition you need, which can impact your overall well-being during treatment.

This study aims to get a clearer picture of these issues. We want to understand why taste and smell change, how these changes affect what you choose to eat, and how that impacts your nutrition. By gathering information on your experiences with food, your physical health, and your senses, we hope to find better ways to identify nutrition problems early and support patients more effectively. This could lead to better advice and care from healthcare professionals, helping you maintain your nutrition and quality of life throughout your cancer journey.

Key takeaways

The study explores how cancer and its treatments affect eating, taste, and smell.
It focuses on newly diagnosed mouth, throat, bowel, and liver cancers.
The goal is to improve support and care for cancer patients' nutrition.
Participation involves tests, questionnaires, and possibly biological samples.
Your insights could help future cancer patients manage side effects better.
Your existing cancer treatment will continue as planned.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adult patients who have recently been diagnosed with certain types of cancer. Specifically, they are interested in people with newly diagnosed cancer of the mouth, throat, bowel, or liver. It doesn't matter what stage your cancer is, as long as it's a new diagnosis. You must also be planning to start your first round of treatment, which could include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgery.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join the study. For example, you can't take part if you're under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have certain health conditions that might affect your taste or smell, or make it hard to take part in the study procedures. You also need to be able to read, speak, and understand French, as the study is being conducted in France, and be able to give your clear consent to participate.

Before deciding, the study team will go through all the criteria with you to make sure it's the right fit and that you meet all the necessary requirements.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have you been newly diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, throat, bowel, or liver?
Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you able to speak, read, and understand French?
Are you due to start your first main cancer treatment (e.g., radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgery)?
Are you able to follow study instructions and attend appointments?
Do you not have any other medical conditions that affect your taste or smell, or serious kidney problems?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you would undergo specific tests and complete questionnaires related to your nutrition, taste, and smell. You might also be asked to provide some biological samples, such as blood or saliva, for evaluation. The study involves assessing these aspects to understand the links between cancer, nutrition, and your senses. The exact number of visits and the full duration of your participation would be explained in detail by the study team, but it primarily focuses on gathering information and samples rather than providing new treatments.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the benefit of contributing to a better understanding of nutrition challenges in cancer patients, which could help improve care for people in the future. There are minimal risks associated with this study, mainly the time commitment for tests and questionnaires, and any mild discomfort from giving biological samples, such as a blood draw. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your ongoing medical care.

Locations (1)

Chu Dijon Bourgogne
Verified postcode
Dijon, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of cancers is this study looking at?

This study is for people newly diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, throat, bowel (colon), or liver.

What will I have to do if I join the study?

You will fill out questionnaires, have some tests, and might be asked to provide samples like blood or saliva.

Will I get a new cancer treatment in this study?

No, this study is about understanding nutrition and sensory changes, not testing new cancer treatments.

Can I stop participating in the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you can leave the study at any time, and it won't affect your medical care.

Why is this research important?

It aims to help doctors better understand and manage nutrition problems and taste/smell changes for people with cancer, improving their quality of life.

How to find out more

Vanessa COTTET

vanessa.cottet@u-bourgogne.fr 0380393487 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.