Short term Water-only Fasting prior to chemotherapy Trial (SWiFT)

Background and study aims
We would like to find out whether it is possible for people to follow a short-term fast before their chemotherapy. Fasting involves avoiding all food for a set amount of time. Some research suggests that fasting might help to protect our cells during chemotherapy, by switching them from a state of growth and development to a state of maintenance and repair. However, we don’t know if fasting is of benefit. Ultimately, we would like to find out whether fasting before chemotherapy can help to reduce its side effects. In order to answer this question, we first need to find out whether it is possible for people to fast before their chemotherapy. This has been tested in some previous studies but not in people receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. So, we are inviting 30 people to take part in a trial that will compare a 36-hour fast to usual diet before chemotherapy.
Who can participate?
Adults with stage 2 or 3 colorectal cancer who are due to receive capecitabine oxaliplatin (CAPOX) chemotherapy.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to either the intervention group or the control group.
The intervention group will spend 36 hours prior to their chemotherapy fasting and drinking water-only. Each chemotherapy cycle will be 21 days long and participants in this group will fast before each of their first 3 cycles of chemotherapy.
The control group will receive the usual advice prior to their first cycle of chemotherapy, including written or verbal information on their diet and the effects of chemotherapy on appetite.