How food becomes medicine for cancer patients at Ohio State

Food is medicine at Ohio State, where cancer experts work with patients to grow healthy habits through innovative and interactive nutritional programs.

The benefits of healthy eating are widely known, but following recommended nutritional guidelines can be tough for many people, especially those who have experienced cancer.

The development of effective bridges to healthier lifestyles has guided the career of Colleen Spees, PhD, MEd, who’s worked with colleagues to create and expand nutritional know-how at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

“We know that genes and age aren't modifiable, but there are things that are, like dietary and physical activity patterns” Spees says. “We focus on the things that cancer patients can change, and we try to empower them to adopt healthier lifestyles.”

Among the initiatives operated by Spees and her Ohio State colleagues is the Garden of Hope, an interactive program that helps cancer patients and caregivers create healthy meal plans, while also providing the opportunity to grow and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables.

“They can harvest for a season or two out here free of charge,” Spees says. “By encouraging and empowering patients to adopt healthier lifestyles that align with the evidence-based guidelines, we then can have a measure their biology to potentially show improved mental and physical health outcomes.”

Click here to learn more about nutritional support programs for cancer patients at the OSUCCC – James.

Prioritizing plant-based eating can be beneficial for countless reasons, including cancer prevention.

“More than 70 percent of adults in the U.S. are either overweight or affected by obesity, which then increases the risk for many cancers significantly,” Spees says. “This is a huge public health issue.”

Those stats can be daunting, but they also provide opportunities for improvement through comprehensive approaches, like those underway at the OSUCCC – James, that give people the tools needed to lower their risk of cancer and/or recurrence at the store and in their kitchens.

“We’re providing the healthy food provisions along with education so that patients really have a tailored support system,” Spees says. “We’ll then hopefully see improvements in their health outcomes.”

Click to learn how Ohio State’s JamesCare for Life team supports cancer patients and their families.