Comprehensive study settles debate over diet safety for patients with cancer

For decades, patients undergoing blood cancer treatment have been told to avoid certain foods to reduce infection risk, guidance that some physicians hoped could safely be relaxed. Now, a University of Florida study offers clear evidence that a diet designed to limit exposure to foodborne microbes results in fewer serious infections, confirming it is still the safest choice.

The findings come at a time when some clinicians have questioned whether the diet, which prohibits raw fruits and vegetables, unpasteurized dairy and undercooked animal proteins during intensive cancer therapies, was overly restrictive and could contribute to poor nutrition, said co-lead author John Wingard, M.D., a professor emeritus of medicine at the UF College of Medicine.

“Recently, some doctors have questioned whether a more liberal diet could safely be encouraged, especially since it might make eating easier, more enjoyable and, hopefully, improve nutrition among patients,” Wingard said.