Prior to final printing of a revised national publication to help patients understand their dietary needs while undergoing treatment, in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with cancer patients in order to: 1) test communication messages; 2) confirm the publication addressed patient needs; and 3) identify problems with language, organization, illustrations, or visual layout. Subjects (N=25) currently undergoing cancer treatment were recruited by working with a select sample of 11 registered dietitians from diverse geographic regions who obtained permission from patients they counseled to join the study. Eligible patients were of diverse ages, had a variety of types of cancer and treatment, and were experiencing only one or two eating-related side effects. An initial screening phone call was made to explain the purpose of the study and secure participation. Interested and qualified subjects were then sent a copy of the revised booklet and a cover letter with instructions. One week later, a follow-up phone interview lasting 15-30minutes was conducted using a structured questionnaire to obtain the following information: 1) general reactions to the booklet; 2) comprehension; 3) visual presentation; and 4) relevance. Positive feedback was provided by respondents who felt the publication was well-organized, visually attractive and answered the majority of their questions, using simple, non-technical language. Key findings were that patients wanted: 1) a feeling of empowerment in information they receive; 2) reassurance that side effects are normal; and 3) dietary guidelines to prevent cancer recurrence after treatment. Additional information will be added, including: 1) suggestions for patients with compromised immune systems; 2) a chart for patients to track side-effects; and 3) specific suggestions provided by respondents to overcome side-effects. Using message testing prior to final distribution of a national publication is recommended to confirm its acceptability to the target audience before valuable resources are expended.