Patients with cancer are at a high risk of weight loss and malnutrition due to factors such as anorexia and taste disorders. For these individuals, the community pharmacy they visit regularly may serve as an important resource for nutritional consultation. This study aimed to clarify the nutritional consultation needs of patients with cancer visiting community pharmacies and to examine both the necessity and content of such consultations. This study was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire survey among patients who visited 20 insurance pharmacies operated by the Miahelsa Corporation that accepted prescriptions for patients with cancer between May and June 2022. A total of 84 respondents provided valid responses. Results showed 98.8% of respondents felt that nutritional management during cancer treatment was important (answering “somewhat important” or “very important”). Furthermore, 23.2% of respondents reported experiencing a weight loss of ≥3 kg over a 3-month period, and 71.3% reported a decrease in food intake. Regarding the eight items of basic nutritional consultation unrelated to symptoms, 82.1% of respondents expressed a desire to consult about at least one item. The most frequently cited need was “a diet that prevents muscle loss and promotes muscle gain” (82.1%), followed by “how to evaluate one’s own nutritional status” (80.0%), and “advice on necessary nutrition and nutrient intake” (76.7%). These findings suggest that collaboration between pharmacists and dietitians working at community pharmacies to address patients’ nutritional needs, could play a crucial role in improving the quality of life and survival rates of patients with cancer.
