When a patient is first diagnosed with cancer, a million things go through their mind. What’s my prognosis? What kind of treatment will I pursue? What will my life look like?
Something they probably aren’t thinking about, however, is how their diagnosis will impact their relationship with food. But as Shelby Burns, MA, RD, CSO, LDN knows, the link between nutrition and cancer treatment is crucial—which is why her role as Oncology Nutrition Care Coordinator at Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital - Main Campus is so important.
“There’s strong evidence that nutrition plays a significant role in oncology patient outcomes,” Burns says. “It has a major impact on how patients tolerate treatment, and how they respond to therapies.” It makes sense, then, that when a patient is diagnosed with cancer—especially of the head and neck, lung, or gastrointestinal tract, which present an especially high risk of nutritional issues—one of the first steps in their treatment is meeting with Burns.
“My primary concern is symptom management and the patient’s nutritional status,” Burns explains. “I want to make sure that the patient isn’t losing weight unintentionally, and that they know they can control many of the symptoms of their treatment by changing the way they eat. I focus on educating my patients about nutrition, and letting them know that I’m always available to answer their questions.”
Nutrition for Wellness–and Food for Joy
Burns’ role as a reliable source of information is especially important, as many patients receive mixed messages about nutrition and cancer. “When you’re diagnosed with cancer, it can feel like there are so many things to be afraid of, and one of the biggest things is being afraid to eat,” Burns says. “It’s easy to stumble upon articles and videos full of misinformation, which can have a very negative impact on our patients.”
“I had one patient who was afraid to eat everything,” Burns remembers. “She was severely limiting her food intake, because she had no idea what she could eat. With oncology patients, malnutrition can happen quickly, so I had to act fast. I worked hard to talk through her fears with her, and to educate her by showing her the research. After we were finished, she actually cried, because she felt like she could have a slice of pizza again.”
Supporting Patients and Families at the Hospital and at Home
It’s moments like that which make Burns so certain she’s in the right position. “One of the things that makes working at the Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital - Main Campus so special is the connection you’re able to build with patients,” she says. “You get the chance to have these really in-depth conversations with them, and to learn about their concerns and goals. You also meet their support systems—their families, their friends—and hear about their home life. You’ll see their significant others in the hallway, and they’ll be like, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’”
Burns also works hard to make sure that, outside the Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital - Main Campus, her patients are receiving the resources they need. “I focus on some of the other nutrition-related barriers our patients might face, like food insecurity,” she explains. “I help patients get access to meal delivery services, grocery deliveries, oral supplements, and SNAP benefits, and find supplemental food sites near where they live. This ensures they don’t become malnourished during treatment simply because they don’t have enough food at home, and takes away a major stressor during what’s already a very stressful time.”
Equipped with the Knowledge to Improve Lives (and Recipes)
In the future, Burns hopes to be able to provide even more resources to patients. “I would love to be able to offer some outside classes, like a cooking class,” she says. “The Cancer Center is really growing—we’re hiring more staff and clinicians—and I want to be able to give our patients as many opportunities as we can.”
Burns’ role at the Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital - Main Campus has also allowed her to pursue her own goals. “I just graduated with my Master’s in Leadership in Healthcare, and became a Certified Specialist in Oncology,” she says. “There are only 42 dietitians in Pennsylvania who have that certification.”
“I’ve worked so hard to learn as much as I can about nutrition in oncology, and it feels so good to be able to share that knowledge,” she continues. “You put so much work in, but at the end of the day, it feels so good, because the patients truly appreciate what you’re doing. Cancer treatment is one of the most difficult things you can go through—and if I can make their lives just a little easier, then it’s all worth it.”