Optimizing Fertility Treatment With Nutrition Guidance - Integrative Cancer Therapies Volume 22 - Article 1–12

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Angel

Young women diagnosed with cancer face an elevated risk of infertility, making tailored nutrition support a critical unmet need. This study examined barriers and facilitators to healthful nutrition among 20 reproductive-age female cancer survivors through formative interviews, surveys, and dietary intake data, validated with participant-check focus groups. Thematic analysis identified seven recurring themes, including limited resources, work-life imbalance, perceived dietary rigidity, treatment fatigue, trust in clinicians, motivation to change, and awareness of nutrition’s added benefits. Findings support tailored interventions to strengthen self-efficacy for healthier dietary choices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Background

Fertility risk and treatment challenges

Nutrition’s role in fertility and survivorship

Rationale for tailored dietary guidance

Optimizing Fertility Treatment With Nutrition Guidance: Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Healthful Nutrition Among Female Cancer Survivors With Fertility Challenges Integrative Cancer Therapies Volume 22: 1–12 © The Author(s) 2023 Article reuse guidelines: [sagepub.com/journals-permissions](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[ ](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[DOI: 10.1177/15347354231191984](DOI: 10.1177/15347354231191984)[ ](DOI: 10.1177/15347354231191984)[journals.sagepub.com/home/ict](journals.sagepub.com/home/ict) Cynthia Klobodu, PhD, MPH, MBChB 1,2, Jonathan Deutsch, PhD, CHE, CRC 1, Mara Z. Vitolins, DrPH, MPH, RDN 3, Kathleen Fisher, PhD, CRNP 1, Jennifer A. Nasser, PhD, RDN 1, Dahlia Stott, BS 1, and Brandy-Joe Milliron, PhD 1 Abstract Introduction: Young women diagnosed with cancer are at an increased risk for infertility compared to women without a cancer diagnosis. Consuming a healthful diet comprised of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and unsaturated fats has been found to improve both fertility and cancer survivorship. Given this reason, dietary interventions tailored to support female cancer survivors with fertility challenges are of immense importance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators to healthful nutrition among female cancer survivors with fertility challenges, to inform the development of dietary interventions for this population. Methods: Using a formative research design, interview, survey, and dietary intake data were collected from 20 female cancer survivors of reproductive age. Participant-check focus group discussions were conducted to validate findings. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Quantitative data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, ranges, frequencies, and percentages. Results: The average age of respondents was 31.47 ± 3.5 years and the average BMI was 24.78 ± 4.1 kg/m2. All participants were college educated, 45% identified as White, 50% as Black, and 10% as Hispanic or Latinx. Cancer diagnoses included breast, thyroid, ovarian, leukemia, and gastrointestinal cancers. The following themes were identified: (1) Lack of nutrition-related resources and detailed guidance,(2) Work-life balance,(3) Perceived rigidity of dietary guidance,(4) Treatment-related fatigue,(5) Having trust in healthcare providers,(6) Higher motivation to change nutrition behavior, and (7) Recognizing the additional benefits of nutrition. Conclusion: These findings indicate a soughtafter yet unmet need for post-cancer treatment fertility nutrition recommendations. Interventions should be tailored to women’s needs and focus on improving their self-efficacy to make healthful dietary choices. Keywords female cancer survivors, nutrition, fertility, dietary quality, qualitative research Submitted December 18, 2022; revised July 14, 2023; accepted July 18, 2023 Background Many young women diagnosed with cancer have a higher chance of long-term survival due to improved treatment. Up to 90% of women under the age of 45 who were diagnosed with cancer in the past decade are expected to reach their 5 year survival marker.1 However, advances in cancer treatment are also associated with additional quality-of-life challenges including challenges related to reproductive 1 Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA 2California State University Chico, Chico, CA, USA 3Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA Corresponding Author: Brandy-Joe Milliron, Department of Nutrition Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, 60 N 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Email: [bm645@drexel.edu](bm645@drexel.edu) Creative Commons Non Commercial CC BY-NC: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial 4.0 License ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/](https://creative

FAQs

What was the study’s main goal?

To explore barriers and facilitators to healthful nutrition among female cancer survivors with fertility challenges, informing development of dietary interventions for this population.

How was the research conducted?

The study used a formative design combining interviews, surveys, and dietary intake data from 20 reproductive-age female cancer survivors, with participant-check focus groups to validate findings and thematic analysis for transcripts.

What key barriers and facilitators to healthful nutrition were identified?

Seven themes emerged: lack of detailed nutrition resources, work-life balance challenges, perceived rigidity of dietary guidance, treatment-related fatigue, trust in healthcare providers, higher motivation to change nutrition behavior, and recognizing additional benefits of nutrition.

What do the findings suggest for future nutrition interventions?

Post-cancer fertility nutrition recommendations are desired but currently unmet; interventions should be tailored to women’s needs and emphasize improving self-efficacy to support healthful dietary choices.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Angel