Nutritional Status and Barriers to Dietary Intake in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Nutritional Status and Barriers to Dietary Intake in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Prior to, on Completion of and Six Weeks After Oncology Treatment

The investigators hope to learn more about how side-effects of RT or RTchemo affect food intake and nutrition status.

Head and neck cancer patients often have difficulty meeting their nutritional needs while undergoing radiation therapy (RT) and/or chemotherapy (RTchemo). Tumor locations and side effects of RT or RTchemo, including dry mouth, mouth sores, difficulty chewing and swallowing, changes in taste and smell, and loss of appetite, lead to poor food intake and weight loss. The investigators hope to learn more about how side-effects of RT or RTchemo affect food intake and nutrition status.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years or older
• Diagnosed with head and neck cancer including the lip, oral cavity, salivary glands, paranasal sinuses, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, and thyroid
• All histological types of cancer
• All tumour stages according to American Joint Committee for Cancer (AJCC) Staging
• All forms of RT including standard or investigational and/or concurrent standard or investigational chemotherapy for head and neck cancers
• Alert and mentally competent
• English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unwilling to participate