Lifestyle and dietary changes among cancer patients receiving active treatment: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary care center in Lebanon
5 affiliations
- 1Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- 2Organized Research Unit, Al Zahraa Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- 3Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Al Zahraa Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- 4Hematology and Oncology Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- 5Hematology and Oncology Department, Al Zahraa Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Abstract
Background: Cancer diagnosis is often accompanied by changes in nutritional needs and lifestyle habits, which may ultimately be associated with patients’ quality of life (QOL). Despite the high burden of cancer in Lebanon, limited data exist on how dietary intake and lifestyle behaviors change following diagnosis. This study aimed to assess self-reported retrospective changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviors following cancer diagnosis and examine factors associated with these changes and their relationship with QOL. Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted at Al Zahraa Hospital University Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon. Adult cancer patients receiving active treatment were assessed regarding self-reported dietary and lifestyle behaviors before and after cancer diagnosis. QOL was assessed using the validated Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G). Results: This study included 145 participants, the majority of whom were Lebanese (93.79%) and female (69.7%). Most lacked health insurance (84.8%), and 91.0% reported a financial burden related to treatment. Compared with recalled pre-diagnosis behaviors, 47.6% of participants reported favorable changes in smoking behavior, while 34.5% reported decreased physical activity. The most frequently reported favorable dietary changes according to the prespecified framework were reduced sugar (60.0%), reduced red meat (49.6%), and reduced fast-food consumption (34.5%). Younger age and employment were associated with the favorable dietary-change score in bivariate analyses, while age and marital status were associated with tobacco-habit change in multivariable analysis; medical insurance was associated with physical-activity change in bivariate analysis. The mean FACT-G total score was 70.48 ± 20.79. Favorable dietary changes were associated with FACT-G scores, including changes in fruit, milk, and fast-food intake. Conclusions: Self-reported retrospective changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviors were observed among patients receiving active cancer treatment, with substantial variation across behavioral domains. The favorable dietary-change score was associated with QOL; however, the cross-sectional design and retrospective assessment preclude causal or directional interpretation. These findings may inform future longitudinal and interventional studies evaluating structured, individualized nutritional and lifestyle support during cancer treatment in Lebanon.
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BibTeX
@article{farhat2026lifestyle,
title = {{Lifestyle and dietary changes among cancer patients receiving active treatment: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary care center in Lebanon}},
author = {Solay Farhat and Zeinab Hammoud and Nadeen Zayour and Jinan Fahs and Tasneem Freijeh and Nada Moussaoui and Hawraa Al Rachiini and Bassam Matar},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0362053},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0362053},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Lifestyle and dietary changes among cancer patients receiving active treatment: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary care center in Lebanon
AU - Solay Farhat
AU - Zeinab Hammoud
AU - Nadeen Zayour
AU - Jinan Fahs
AU - Tasneem Freijeh
AU - Nada Moussaoui
AU - Hawraa Al Rachiini
AU - Bassam Matar
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/04
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0362053
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0362053
AB - Background: Cancer diagnosis is often accompanied by changes in nutritional needs and lifestyle habits, which may ultimately be associated with patients’ quality of life (QOL). Despite the high burden of cancer in Lebanon, limited data exist on how dietary intake and lifestyle behaviors change following diagnosis. This study aimed to assess self-reported retrospective changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviors following cancer diagnosis and examine factors associated with these changes and their relationship with QOL. Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted at Al Zahraa Hospital University Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon. Adult cancer patients receiving active treatment were assessed regarding self-reported dietary and lifestyle behaviors before and after cancer diagnosis. QOL was assessed using the validated Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT-G). Results: This study included 145 participants, the majority of whom were Lebanese (93.79%) and female (69.7%). Most lacked health insurance (84.8%), and 91.0% reported a financial burden related to treatment. Compared with recalled pre-diagnosis behaviors, 47.6% of participants reported favorable changes in smoking behavior, while 34.5% reported decreased physical activity. The most frequently reported favorable dietary changes according to the prespecified framework were reduced sugar (60.0%), reduced red meat (49.6%), and reduced fast-food consumption (34.5%). Younger age and employment were associated with the favorable dietary-change score in bivariate analyses, while age and marital status were associated with tobacco-habit change in multivariable analysis; medical insurance was associated with physical-activity change in bivariate analysis. The mean FACT-G total score was 70.48 ± 20.79. Favorable dietary changes were associated with FACT-G scores, including changes in fruit, milk, and fast-food intake. Conclusions: Self-reported retrospective changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviors were observed among patients receiving active cancer treatment, with substantial variation across behavioral domains. The favorable dietary-change score was associated with QOL; however, the cross-sectional design and retrospective assessment preclude causal or directional interpretation. These findings may inform future longitudinal and interventional studies evaluating structured, individualized nutritional and lifestyle support during cancer treatment in Lebanon.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -