Cancer patients undergoing treatments like chemotherapy often experience appetite loss, which can lead to malnutrition and weakened immune systems. Traditional solutions, such as high-calorie foods or medications, may not always be effective or appealing. There is an opportunity to explore sensory-based approaches, leveraging the strong connection between scent and appetite, to gently encourage eating without invasive methods.

How Scent Could Address Appetite Loss

The idea involves using air fresheners infused with food-related scents—like freshly baked bread, citrus, or savory herbs—to subtly stimulate hunger. These could be designed as sprays, diffusers, or plug-ins, tailored for use in hospitals, care facilities, or homes. The goal is to trigger hunger cues through familiar, appetizing aromas without overwhelming users, particularly those with heightened sensitivity due to medical treatments.

Key Stakeholders and Their Needs

This approach could benefit:

• Patients: Improved appetite and nutritional intake, supporting recovery.
• Healthcare providers: A non-invasive tool to complement patient care.
• Caregivers: An easier way to encourage eating without pressure.

Manufacturers might find value in a niche market with high social impact, while hospitals could integrate it as part of holistic care strategies.

Path to Execution

One way to test this idea could involve:

1. Research: Partner with nutritionists and oncologists to identify the most effective, nausea-safe scents.
2. Prototyping: Develop small batches of air fresheners in different formats (e.g., adjustable-intensity diffusers for hospitals).
3. Testing: Pilot the product with cancer patients to assess appetite response and scent preferences.

If validated, the concept could expand into customizable scent subscriptions or B2B partnerships with healthcare facilities.

Unlike existing aromatherapy or food-scented products, this idea focuses on medically informed, patient-specific needs—offering a targeted solution for appetite stimulation in sensitive populations.