DOI: 10.26650/iujhsr2026-1826244 ISSN: 3149-9724

The Effect of Health Belief Model-Based Nutrition Education on Quality of Life and Malnutrition in Oncology Patients

Büşra Şen, Ayşe Önal
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According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the term "cancer" refers to a broad category of illnesses that can impact any region of the body. Trachea, bronchus, lung, breast, and colorectal cancers are the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Estimates indicate that by 2030, there would be 9.7 million cancer-related deaths globally and almost 20 million new cancer cases in 2022. This review evaluates the effects of HMB-based nutrition education on quality of life and malnutrition in oncology patients. In the study by Keshtkar et al. (2025), the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 applied to the experimental group demonstrated statistically significant improvements compared to the control group in terms of general health, physical functions, vomiting and nausea, fatigue, appetite loss, and financial problems following nutritional education given to 59 cancer patients with total gastrectomy. In another study involving 229 Iranian women, participants began consuming more whole grains and fewer fatty dairy products as well as nuts following HBM-based nutrition instruction. Recent developments in oncology have boosted expectations for full functional and emotional recovery and improved survival rates. Because of this, evaluating the quality of life after therapy has become crucial. For patients with cancer, nutrition education based on HBM is a thoughtful and successful approach to lowering malnutrition risk, improving nutritional status, and improving quality of life. In future research, incorporating HBM-based modules into dietitian education programmes and supporting them with visual or digital tools may increase effectiveness and strengthen patient compliance.

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