P1032 - IMPACT OF PRECONCEIVED IDEAS ABOUT DIET AND CANCER AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN TREATED FOR CAVUM CANCER IN THE MOROCCAN CONTEXT.

P1032

IMPACT OF PRECONCEIVED IDEAS ABOUT DIET AND CANCER AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN TREATED FOR CAVUM CANCER IN THE MOROCCAN CONTEXT.

R. Chakir^1,2, S. harbaj¹, A. boutaina¹, I. salma³, N. karima³, H. elkacemi³, T. kebdani^3,*, K. Hassouni³

¹radiation therapy, national institue of oncology, ²Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V university, ³radiation therapy, national institute of oncology, rabat , Morocco

Rationale: In the context of childhood nasopharyngeal cancer, nutrition plays a vital role in the maintenance of general health and the efficacy of treatment. However, in Morocco, popular beliefs strongly influence the dietary choices of parents from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds:
How these beliefs affect the child's nutritional status and treatment compliance?

Methods: A survey was conducted among 24 parents of children followed at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat between 2022 and 2024. Data collection was performed during medical consultations using a semi-structured questionnaire aimed at parents, focusing on socio-economic and educational backgrounds. dietary beliefs and nutritional practices within the Moroccan context.

Results: 70% of parents believed that certain foods "feed the cancer," particularly red meat, dairy products, and sugar and 54% had removed at least one essential food item from their child’s diet based on popular beliefs.25% had resorted to traditional remedies or medicinal plants before their first medical consultation, and only 10% reported having used them at least once alongside medical treatment before seeking professional advice.36% of the children experienced moderate to severe malnutrition, correlated with significant weight loss; 33% lost more than 8 kg and 30% had to temporarily interrupt treatment due to worsening nutritional status.

Only 25% of parents received structured nutritional support from a healthcare professional, mostly those from higher socio-economic and educational backgrounds.

Conclusion: Misconceptions about food have a significant impact on parental nutritional choices and may compromise the nutritional status of children with nasopharyngeal cancer. Targeted and culturally appropriate therapeutic education is essential to improve adherence to nutritional recommendations and optimize treatment outcomes.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared