Mouth Cancer Action Month About mouth cancer Mouth Cancer Action Month Learn about mouth cancer How to spot mouth cancer Mouth cancer risk factors Living with mouth cancer Statistics and reports Mouth cancer statistics Diagnosis to Daily Life The State of Mouth Cancer UK Report 2024 How mouth cancer impacts patients Diet Treatment Relationships Finances and money Mental health Confidence Aftercare Patient journeys Get involved Events and activities Blue Ribbon Appeal Become an ambassador Blue Wednesday Fundraising Need some inspiration? Set up your fundraising page Our current fundraisers Other ways to fundraise Make a donation Who's behind it Oral Health Foundation Support services Downloads Social media posts Oral Health Foundation Home Campaigns & activities Mouth Cancer Action Month Mouth cancer impacts Diet and mouth cancer Mouth cancer presents considerable challenges for patients, not just due to its direct effects on affected tissues but also because of the secondary complications it introduces, particularly in the area of diet and nutrition. As the disease progresses, many patients face difficulty chewing and swallowing as well as experience changes in taste sensations, all of which complicate their ability to maintain a healthy diet. These issues can lead to malnutrition, further compromising their recovery and overall health. At a glance Over 95% of patients surveyed reported their eating habits had been affected by mouth cancer. 60% of all those surveyed reported that their diet and eating habits were severely impacted. 49% of participants over 50 reported severe impacts on their diet. This is double the rate of those under 50, where 20% reported a severe impact. Just 1% of respondents report no pain while eating. Eating challenges We asked 95 mouth cancer patients what challenges they faced with diet and nutrition due to mouth cancer. Most common issues with eating Patients frequently face specific difficulties when eating after treatment for mouth cancer. When surveyed, these are the most common problems when eating reported by mouth cancer patients. Around 49% of participants over 50s reported a severe impact on their diet and eating habits due to mouth cancer, and individuals under 50 are nearly three times more likely to report a minor impact on their diet compared to older patients. The difference in ages reporting severe and mild side effects indicates that as you age, the issues you face when eating get worse as your body's ability to adapt is reduced. However, more knowledge is needed on why the age gap in reporting severe impacts exists to draw a stronger conclusion. Changes in eating habits Many individuals with mouth cancer experience significant changes in their eating habits due to the physical challenges caused by the disease. Around 60% of patients reported they could no longer consume the foods they once enjoyed, while 21% adapted their eating methods, requiring additional liquids or liquidised food. Meanwhile, 18% continued to eat the same foods without issue, indicating that the impact on eating habits varies significantly among patients. These challenges are often compounded by side effects of treatment, further exacerbating dietary restrictions. Addressing these concerns requires a clear understanding of the patient’s specific nutritional needs to provide adequate support and ensure optimal recovery. The impact on chewing and recovery Chewing difficulties often hinder patients’ ability to maintain a normal diet, which can impact overall health and recovery. Overall, they are a large post-treatment concern, with 78% of patients who filled out our survey reporting an impairment in their ability to chew food. Over half of those affected (53%) received exercises to improve their chewing ability, while 47% did not, indicating a gap in post-treatment rehabilitation. Talking to mouth cancer patients about the difficulties they face when chewing has highlighted a need for more consistent and comprehensive care once treatment ends. Aftercare and ongoing support from health professionals are essential to ensure that all patients experiencing chewing difficulties receive appropriate interventions to improve their ability to chew and maintain a balanced diet. Social and emotional worries around eating after diagnosis and treatment In addition to the physical challenges, many of the people we surveyed also expressed worries and concerns about the social aspect of mealtimes. Eating in public is a significant source of anxiety for many, with people saying eating in public made them feel self-conscious about their slower eating pace, the need for assistance, or the possibility of choking. Practical concerns, such as the uncertainty about suitable food options being available in places like restaurants and cafes, were also common, particularly for patients with specific dietary needs or requirements. Lots of these frustrations and barriers faced by mouth cancer patients have led to them avoiding eating out, meaning they are potentially missing out on social activities they otherwise would have engaged with. Using nutritional supplements Many of the people we spoke to use various nutritional supplements, including protein shakes, meal replacement shakes, fibre supplements, and vitamin tablets, to help combat deficiencies and manage dietary restrictions. The amount of these supplements used varies a lot between people. 43% said they rely on these supplements regularly as part of their diet, 26% said they use supplements several times a week, and around 38% of participants said they have never used nutritional aids, either due to adapting to their dietary needs or not requiring them. 5% of people surveyed said they used supplements occasionally, typically during post-treatment recovery. These challenges are often compounded by side effects of treatment, further exacerbating dietary restrictions. Addressing these concerns requires a clear understanding of the patient’s specific nutritional needs to provide adequate support and ensure optimal recovery. Patient ambassador Suwinder, or Sid, talks about how he had to adjust his diet when using a PEG feeder Modifying food and texture Many patients adjust the texture of their food to make eating easier. Around 36% of the people we spoke to often have to modify their food consistency by pureeing, blending, or softening foods to help with chewing and swallowing, and another 43% change their food texture occasionally, depending on symptoms or limitations at the time. About 21% do not modify their food texture, indicating fewer eating challenges or less severe effects from their condition. The frequent use of texture modifications emphasises why it is so essential to provide resources and guidance to patients when it comes to helping them manage their diet, such as access to pre-prepared texture-modified meals or consultations with dietitians, to improve their nutritional intake and quality of life. Pain and discomfort when eating Lots of the people we surveyed have said they experience pain or discomfort while eating due to their mouth cancer. Approximately 51% of respondents reported occasional discomfort, often triggered by specific foods or situations. For 15% of the people we surveyed reported that they face frequent pain, indicating ongoing challenges such as oral sensitivities or treatment side effects. For 24% of participants, discomfort is rare, suggesting more flexibility in dietary choices. However, 9% of individuals always experience pain, significantly impacting their ability to maintain proper nutrition. Just 1% of respondents report no pain while eating. Overall, nearly 76% of individuals face some level of discomfort, occasionally or more frequently. This highlights the need for tailored care strategies such as pain management and dietary adjustments. Referrals to a dietician Professional support for managing diet complications is something each mouth cancer patient should be offered; however, the reality is very different. Approximately 60% of participants sought advice from a dietitian or nutritionist, with the majority finding it helpful in managing their dietary challenges. However, 12% reported that the advice was not helpful, pointing to potential gaps in personalised support. About 28% did not seek professional guidance, with 9% planning to do so in the future. While most who sought advice found it beneficial, a group remains whose needs are not fully addressed, highlighting the opportunity for more targeted outreach and tailored interventions. Manage Cookie Preferences