A newly published 12-week study looking at a Mediterranean diet-based programme for women with breast cancer – combining expert-led education from Perci Health with chef-prepared meals from Field Doctor – has reported improvements in participants’ weight, dietary habits, and menopausal symptoms.
The Eat Well, Live Well Programme, developed by Perci Health and Field Doctor with funding from Innovate UK, is now available online. It’s designed to help people with a breast cancer diagnosis to navigate the everyday challenges of post-treatment recovery, from fatigue and weight management to confusion about what to eat and menopausal symptoms.
Every year, thousands of women in the UK are left facing the ongoing challenge following breast cancer treatment, from changes in weight, menopausal symptoms and uncertainty around diet. This pilot marks the first time a fully integrated, specialist nutrition and education programme has been studied and evaluated in the UK to support women in their recovery.
Key Study Observations
BMI: Participants experienced a reduction in average BMI over the 12-week programme. The proportion of individuals classified within a healthy BMI range increased slightly, from 50% at baseline to 52.2% at the end of the study. This change may be relevant given the known association between excess weight and breast cancer recurrence risk.
Menopausal Symptoms: Participants reported a reduction in symptom scores of over 25%, with improvements noted in areas such as hot flushes, sleep, and mood. This finding may be particularly relevant for women on endocrine therapy, where side effects often impact their ability to stay on the treatment.
Diet Quality: The percentage of participants with high adherence to the Mediterranean diet doubled from 8.7% to 17.4%, increasing intake of fibre, omega-3s, legumes and fermented foods, while also reporting greater confidence in managing their diet post-treatment, supporting their wellbeing. Many also expressed greater confidence in managing their diet post-treatment, which may support long-term wellbeing.
Sarah, 58 and living in Kent, took part in the 12-week study. She said: “Taking part in the Eat Well, Live Well programme was truly life-changing for me. After my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, I felt like so much was out of my control, but the combination of Field Doctor meals and Perci Health modules gave me structure, confidence, and the sense that I was actively helping myself. My eating habits have completely transformed: I now enjoy a varied, balanced Mediterranean diet, feel fitter, stronger, and even my sleep and mood have improved. Most importantly, I feel back in control of my health and living well again.”
While the Eat Well, Live Well programme primarily aimed to support improvements in weight management, dietary habits, and menopausal wellbeing, researchers observed additional potential benefits. This included fortification with vitamin D and calcium for bone health, omega-3 fatty acids for heart health and rich in polyphenols. At least 30 different plant-based foods per week were included to encourage microbial diversity.
Engagement with the intervention was high: 79% of participants ate at least three-quarters of the meals provided, and 89% accessed the educational programme, with a 20% boost in participants’ confidence in managing their diet. Understanding of common cancer nutrition myths improved by 30%, particularly around soy, dairy, and sugar. Participants reported that the convenience of ready-prepared meals reduced decision fatigue, and many cited clearer guidance and greater confidence in making healthy choices as major benefits of the programme.
The Eat Well, Live Well programme combines 30+ Mediterranean diet inspired meals, as well as nut and seed snacks and breakfast options handcrafted by Field Doctor’s chefs – with guidance from Perci Health’s lead cancer dietitian – to follow Mediterranean diet principles. It also includes a cookbook of recipes developed in collaboration with oncology specialists, and an 8-part educational video series created by Perci Health’s multidisciplinary team, which includes experts in oncology nutrition, psychology, physiotherapy, and menopause. The video-series is grounded in the latest evidence around cancer and nutrition, movement, and recovery. Delivered by experts in cancer care, each short module is designed to fit into real life and provide clear advice and simple actions to help people self-manage post-treatment.
The initiative was co-designed by Jo Cunningham, Cancer Dietetics Lead at Perci Health, and Laura Tilt, Dietitian at Field Doctor, alongside a full team of cancer healthcare experts at Perci Health and clinical advisors from The Royal Marsden.
Cunningham said: “This study underscores the vital role of nutrition and on-going educational support in the long-term recovery and wellbeing of women with breast cancer. Recovery doesn’t end when treatment does, many people face persistent challenges including weight gain, menopausal symptoms, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer recurrence.
“By combining structured, evidence-based meals with practical education, this programme empowered women to take control of their health at a time when they often feel abandoned by traditional services. The improvements in weight and symptom control are not only linked to better quality of life, but also to increased adherence to hormone therapy – a cornerstone of breast cancer treatment that’s often prematurely stopped due to side effects.”
Tilt says:“We are proud to have been part of this innovative programme, which demonstrates the important role diet can play in supporting recovery and managing the long-term side effects of breast cancer and its treatment. With so much misinformation around diet and cancer, many women feel uncertain about what to eat after a diagnosis, so a key focus of the education was tackling common diet and cancer myths. It was fantastic to hear how the programme boosted participants’ confidence in their food choices and gave them practical knowledge to support their long-term health.”
The Eat Well, Live Well Programme is open to all individuals recovering from breast cancer treatment. The programme includes the flexibility to cater to dietary requirements and builds a strong foundation for sustainable, long-term wellbeing. The meal plan has been hand crafted by Field Doctor’s chefs and dieticians to ensure they are packed with nutrition and flavour, include:
- Goan Fish Curry – sustainable hake fillet with roasted sweet potato, chickpeas + whole leaf spinach in a punchy & aromatic tomato, tamarind + coconut sauce with a side of whole grain rice + red quinoa
- Field Green Risotto – whole grain rice + spelt cooked with vegetables along with peas, broccoli, asparagus, courgette, spinach + basil, topped with vegetarian cheese + toasted pine nuts
- Italian Beef Meatballs – British beef & whole grain meatballs in a rich tomato & vegetable sauce with spinach, wholegrain pasta & topped with parmesan
Kelly McCabe, co-founder of Perci Health, concludes: “Aftercare for people with breast cancer is often fragmented or non-existent. As this population grows it’s important to find cost-effective, scalable ways to ensure people are educated and supported to make the best lifestyle choices to help them optimise their health, wellbeing and quality of life. Our research proves that structured dietary and lifestyle support, delivered in a digital-first way, can shift the dial on health outcomes, even in just 12 weeks.
“As cancer increasingly becomes a chronic condition, models like this one show how targeted lifestyle interventions can plug the gaps in traditional care, reduce future disease risk, and help people live longer, healthier lives after cancer.”