The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the role of nutrition education in support groups for people with cancer. Four research questions guided the research study; 1) What factors, if any, do facilitators observe that affect the nutritional status of the cancer patient? 2) What, if any, nutrition education, either formal or informal, currently takes place in cancer support groups in Saskatoon? 3) What factors do facilitators see as enhancing or detracting from nutrition education, either formal or informal, in cancer support groups in Saskatoon? 4) What role may the facilitators of the support programs for cancer patients identify for nutrition education, either formal or informal, within their groups? Using qualitative methodology in the form of interview inquiry, in — depth personal interviews were conducted with fourteen facilitators of cancer support groups. Cancer impacted their lives and the lives of their group members both physically and emotionally. Social support groups were considered beneficial in improving health and well being. However, support groups varied in organization and function. The functioning of the group was affected by group dynamics, individual characteristics of the group members, attendance issues, and the type of facilitator in the group. Nutrition education occurs both formally and informally in the groups. Formal nutrition education usually occurs in the format of a presentation by a nutrition professional on a topic of interest to the groups. Informal nutrition education occurs in the form of a group member raising a nutrition related concern, and other group members providing advice on how they dealt with that concern. There is potential for nutrition education in support groups for people with cancer. Barriers to further nutrition education in the support groups included the drop-in nature of the groups, the competing priorities of the group members, the timing of nutrition education, the availability of resources, and the characteristics of group members and facilitators. Enhancers of nutrition education included the format, importance and timeliness of nutrition education in the group. Several recommendations can be made for organizations with support groups and nutrition
educators in order to enhance nutrition education
