title: The role of nutrition in oncology: a need for a change of attitude and curriculum.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of nutrition in cancer is poorly understood by Indian oncologists, who are exposed to minimal education on nutrition in their undergraduate and postgraduate careers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal questionnaire survey, without reminder, assessed the knowledge and beliefs about nutrition of 120 oncologists in India (response rate = 58%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a lack of teaching and understanding by surgeons and radiation and medical oncologists about the role of nutrition in prevention, carcinogenesis, treatment, and outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There needs to be much more emphasis in undergraduate and postgraduate education about the supportive role of nutrition in cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. pankajch37@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaturvedi
authors.forename: Vedant
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kabra
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003625:Data Collection; D004501:Education, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D044623:Nutrition Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*