Full Title
Food: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Study Examining Food Insecurity InterventionsPurpose
Many patients being treated for cancer have trouble getting enough to eat, or do not always have enough money for food. Patients with these problems may have difficulty completing cancer treatment. FOOD (Food to Overcome Outcome Disparities) has set up food pantries at many hospitals in New York City.
The purpose of this study is to assess three different interventions aimed at improving access to food for cancer patients. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of the three interventions: access to the clinic food pantry alone; monthly food vouchers plus food pantry access; or weekly grocery deliveries plus food pantry access.
Participants will complete periodic surveys to assess their satisfaction with the food program and their overall health and well-being. They will also be weighed three times during the study. Researchers hope to learn the best approach to helping patients who have trouble getting food, and to see if this can help patients complete their cancer treatment.
Study sites include Queens Cancer Center, the Ralph Lauren Community Cancer Center, Lincoln Hospital Center, and Brooklyn Hospital. The surveys will be conducted in English, Spanish, or Mandarin.
Who Can Join
Patients in this study will include adults age 18 and older being treated for cancer who are enrolled in the Integrated Cancer Care Network and may need help getting food (but be ineligible for food stamps). Patients must be within two weeks of starting chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
For more information about this study, please contact Dr. Francesca Gany at 646-888-4240.