Impact of Food Assistance on Treatment Adherence and Clinical Outcomes in Food-Insecure Cancer Patients Undergoing Active Treatment
Virginia Commonwealth University
Summary
Prospective cohort and descriptive study aimed at identifying cancer patients experiencing food insecurity at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. The study will involve evaluating the impact of a food assistance intervention on treatment adherence and clinical outcomes among food-insecure patients on active treatment.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients (≥18 years old) with a current diagnosis of cancer * Patients attending outpatient services at the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center * Patients who are willing to participate and provide informed consent * Responding "sometimes true" or "often true" to at least one of the two validate Hunger Vital Sign Screening questions Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who are unable to provide informed consent due to cognitive impairment or language barriers * Patients who are enrolled in other clinical trials that prohibit participation in additional research * Pa…
Interventions
- OtherFood Assistance Program
Participants will be enrolled and provided with structured food assistance (e.g., shelf stable food boxes, produce vouchers) for six months
- OtherStandard of Care
Participants who receive usual-care referrals but not food packages.
Location
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, Virginia