Human Microbiome: Understanding the Role of the Gut Microbiome and Implications for Oncology Nursing Care.
Jinbing Bai, Wenhui Zhang, Zahra Amirkhanzadeh Barandouzir
PMID 34269346WHAT IT FOUND
Cancer treatments are described as changing gut microbes, and those changes are reported alongside diarrhea, constipation, oral mucositis, pain, fatigue, mood, sleep, and thinking problems.
Nurses can watch for these symptoms and teach gut-healthy diet or probiotics, but proof is limited.
Key findings
01Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are described as disrupting gut microbial communities in adult and pediatric cancer patients.
02Gastrointestinal symptoms and psychoneurological symptoms are reported alongside gut microbiome differences in some cancer patients.
03A 12-week probiotics treatment in colorectal cancer patients is reported to reduce irritable bowel symptoms and improve anxiety, depression, and quality of life.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
No original data or methods are reported. Associations between gut microbes and symptoms are not proof that the microbes caused the symptoms. Evidence for probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiome transplant is limited. Links in childhood cancer patients are unclear. Mechanisms are not established.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read gut microbiome associations as proof that probiotics or diet changes prevent or treat cancer therapy symptoms. The article reports associations and limited intervention findings, not a tested nursing protocol.