‘Food for Thought’—The Relationship between Diet and Cognition in Breast and Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Survivors of cancer frequently experience persistent and troublesome cognitive changes. Little is known about the role diet and nutrition plays in survivors’ cognition. We explored the feasibility of collecting cross-sectional online data from Australian survivors of breast and colorectal cancer to enable preliminary investigations of the relationships between cognition with fruit and vegetable intake, and the Omega-3 Index (a biomarker of long chain omega 3 fatty acid intake). A total of 76 participants completed online (and postal Omega-3 Index biomarker) data collection (62 breast and 14 colorectal cancer survivors): mean age 57.5 (±10.2) years, mean time since diagnosis 32.6 (±15.6) months. Almost all of the feasibility outcomes were met; however, technical difficulties were reported for online cognitive testing. In hierarchical linear regression models, none of the dietary variables of interest were significant predictors of self-reported or objective cognition. Age, BMI, and length of treatment predicted some of the cognitive outcomes. We demonstrated a viable online/postal data collection method, with participants reporting positive levels of engagement and satisfaction. Fruit, vegetable, and omega-3 intake were not significant predictors of cognition in this sample, however the role of BMI in survivors′ cognitive functioning should be further investigated. Future research could adapt this protocol to longitudinally monitor diet and cognition to assess the impact of diet on subsequent cognitive function, and whether cognitive changes impact dietary habits in survivors of cancer.

Omega-3 index, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cognitive function in mid-age and older adults

“…In fact, among the 14 studies reviewed by Rouch et al, ( Rouch et al, 2022 ) only 3 had entirely null findings. ( Coro et al, 2021 , Dretsch et al, 2014 , Erhardt et al, 2021 ) Most of these studies determined that O3I was related to at least some measures of cognitive function. ( Rouch et al, 2022 ) However, they did not account for the protective effects of CRF.…”

Nutrition for Cancer Survivors

“…The elucidation of the role of diet on cancer-related cognitive impairment was the goal of a cross-sectional feasibility study, implemented by Coro et al with the use of online data from breast and colon cancer survivors in Australia [ 9 ]. Intake of fruits, vegetables, and long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (and its biomarker) was assessed, while self-reported and objective cognition status was measured by validated tools.…”