Food Insecurity Linked to Higher Risk of Death After Cancer

Food insecurity is linked to a 28% higher risk of death among cancer survivors compared with those who have never received a cancer diagnosis, a new study found.

Food insecurity is linked to a 28% higher risk of death among cancer survivors, according to a new study published in JAMA Health Forum. The research also showed that individuals who do not receive food assistance had even greater mortality risks, highlighting nutrition as a critical factor in survivorship outcomes.

The research evaluated 5,603 cancer survivors, of which, 10.3% reported having experienced food insecurity, which was linked to a 28% higher risk of all-cause mortality. This association was strongest among individuals not receiving food assistance. Notably, food insecurity did not significantly impact mortality for lower-income individuals or those enrolled in food assistance programs, suggesting these support systems may offer benefits.

Dr. John Lin, first study author, sat down for an interview with CURE to discuss his research further, in which he emphasized that, "Food security — meaning reliable access to nutritious food — is critical for cancer survivors because the body needs fuel to recover from cancer and cancer treatment."

In the interview, Lin underscores the urgent need to integrate food security screening and support into cancer care. Lin is a research fellow in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, where he studies value of novel and high-cost oncology therapies and evaluates the impact of payment policies on patients who have cancer.

CURE: Many people may not connect food access with cancer outcomes. Can you help explain why nutrition and food security are so important for cancer survivors, even after treatment ends?

Lin: Food security — meaning reliable access to nutritious food — is critical for cancer survivors because the body needs fuel to recover from cancer and cancer treatment. Having sufficient nutrition is important for immune function, energy levels, and healing, but cancer survivors who are food insecure may struggle to consume the nutrient-rich foods that support healing.

Your study showed that cancer survivors experiencing food insecurity had a significantly higher risk of death. What might be some of the reasons behind this connection?

Cancer survivors include anyone living with a cancer diagnosis, including people undergoing active treatment. Poor nutrition can worsen the body’s ability to heal and increasing vulnerability to other illnesses. Additionally, individuals who are food insecure may delay or forgo follow-up care, medication, or screening because of competing financial demands.

For patients who may be struggling to afford nutritious food, what signs should they look out for, and how can they talk to their care team about getting help?

We should be worried when people start skipping meals, losing weight unintentionally, feeling fatigued, or become anxious about running out of food. These are all incredibly important concerns to bring up. I encourage patients to be open with their care team — they can start by saying something like “I’m not eating as well as I’d like to because of how much my groceries cost.” Many cancer treatment teams have social workers, nutritionists, and case managers who can help connect patients to food assistance programs or food pantries.

What kinds of programs or support systems would you like to see become more common in cancer care?

I would love to see more screening for food insecurity as a routine part of cancer care and clinical care more broadly. We know there are millions of Americans who are food insecure and could qualify for a food assistance program but don't know it. There was also a major clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering that found that providing access to food vouchers and pantries helped food insecure patients complete their treatment. Embedding food pantries in oncology clinics and forming partnerships between cancer centers and food banks can help meet patients where they are.

What steps can survivors, caregivers, or even community members take to advocate for better access to food assistance for people facing cancer?

Survivors and caregivers can start by sharing their stories. Lived experience is so powerful. There are so many advocacy organizations that push to address food insecurity in healthcare settings. On a more systemic level, we can all support local food banks, write to lawmakers about funding for food assistance programs, and help build awareness that nutrition is not optional in cancer care.

Reference

“Mortality Outcomes for Survivors of Cancer With Food Insecurity in the US” by Dr. John C. Lin, et al., JAMA Health Forum.

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