The essential role of nutritional support along the cancer journey

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Cancer treatment is a complex and difficult journey. Every step of the way, ensuring that patients are fit to receive treatment is crucial to improve patient outcomes and prognosis
Nutritional support is an integral part of optimal supportive care during cancer treatment1-4.

Cancer treatments act as a trigger of catabolism leading to weight and muscle loss1. In fact, 50-70% of cancer patients experience malnutrition during their treatment journey2.

Screening for nutritional risk from diagnosis onward and implementing timely nutritional support with medical nutrition, can mitigate the impact of cancer treatment on nutritional reserves and support treatment outcomes3,4.

Nutritional support should be an integral part of patient care along the treatment continuum 

Nutritional challenges leading to weight and muscle loss are frequent along the oncology journey and negatively impact patient outcomes such as recovery after surgery, treatment tolerance and quality of life2.

EARLY NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION WITH MEDICAL NUTRITION CAN IMPROVE PATIENT OUTCOMES ALONG THE CANCER PATIENT JOURNEY

RADIOTHERAPY
SYSTEMIC ANTI-CANCER TREATMENT
SURGERY
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Reduction in changes to scheduled anti-cancer treatment by up to 60%9.

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2-fold increased risk of dose limiting toxicity on average in patients with low muscle mass11.

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Reduce post operative complications up to 50%13,14.

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Reduction in hospitalizations by 50%10.

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High protein medical nutrition increases muscle mass during chemotherapy12.

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Reduce length of hospital stay by -2.5 days14,15.

EASY DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF MALNUTRITION IS ESSENTIAL IN OPTIMAL CANCER CARE3,4

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1.

Screen all cancer patients for nutritional risk beginning at diagnosis

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In patients at nutritional risk, provide or refer patients for prompt nutritional assessment and intervention

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3.

Re-screen patients for nutritional risk at regular intervals

A TAILORED PORTFOLIO TO SUPPORT EVOLVING NUTRITIONAL NEEDS ALONG THE CANCER JOURNEY

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Oncology portfolio

There are health challenges adults may experience which can be managed or improved with medical nutrition (for use under healthcare professional supervision only). The Nutricia products shown from this point onwards are foods for special medical purposes and intended for the nutritional management of diseases and related medical conditions.

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Taste can change outcomes shouldn’t

Up to 70% of cancer patients experience taste and smell alterations[16]. Sensory changes in cancer contribute to weight loss and malnutrition, increasing the risk of poor clinical outcomes[2,17-21]. Sensory-adapted oral nutritional supplements, such as the Fortimel Compact Protein Sensational flavor range, have been designed and validated with cancer patients experiencing taste and smell alterations.

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Protein is an important nutrient at every stage of the cancer journey

Protein is an important nutrient at every stage of the cancer journey. In patients with cancer, the need for protein is higher than for healthy adults, and cancer patients often fail to consume sufficient protein[22-24]. Low protein intake can lead to low muscle mass, fatigue and even poorer survival in patients with cancer[25-28]. Therefore, ensuring sufficient protein with high protein oral nutritional supplements can improve clinical outcomes[9,12,14,29,30].

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  1. Laviano et al. Proc Nutr Soc 2018; 77(4):388-393
  2. Ryan et al. Nutrition 2019; 67-68:110539
  3. Arends et al. Clin Nutr 2017; 6(1):11-48
  4. Arends et al. ESMO Open 2021; 6(3):100092
  5. Muscaritoli et al. Oncotarget 2017; 8(45):79884-79896
  6. Sonneborn-Papakostopoulos et al. Med Oncol 2021; 38(2):20
  7. Arends et al. Clin Nutr 2017; 36 (3): 623-650
  8. Neo et al. Cancer Treat Rev 2017; 61:94-106
  9. Cereda et al. Radiother Oncol 2018; 126(1):81-88
  10.  Gonzalez-Rodri_uez et al. Eur J Clin Nutr 2021; 75:748-753
  11.  Daly et al. Proc Nutri Soc 2016; 77(2):1335-151
  12.  Grupinska et al. Nutrients 2021; 13, 3549
  13.  Kabata et al. Support Care Cancer 2015; 23(2):365-70
  14.  Manásek et al. Klin Onkol 2016; 29(5):351-357
  15.  Garcia et al. Nutr Cancer 2020; 72(5):801-807
  16.  Spotten et al. Ann Oncol 2017; 28:969-84
  17.  Drareni et al. Semin Oncol 2019; 46:160-72
  18.  Brisbois et al. J Pain Symptom Manage 2011; 41:673-83
  19.  Boltong et al. Support Care Cancer 2012; 20:2765-74 
  20.  Belqaid et al. Acta Oncol 2014; 53:1405-12 
  21.  Pressoir et al. Br J Cancer 2010; 102(6) :966-971
  22.  Prado et al. Canadian journal of dietetic practice and research 2012; 73(4):e298-303 
  23.  McCurdy et al. Nutrients 2019; 11(11)
  24.  Stobaus et al. Nutr Cancer 2015; 67(5):818-24 
  25.  Tobberup et al. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2019; 34:94-100 
  26.  Capitao et al. Support care cancer 2022; 30(4):3007-3015  
  27.  Regueme et al. Support Care Cancer 2021; 29(2):687-696 
  28.  Hasegawa et al. Clin Nutr 2021; 40(7):4792-4798
  29.  Kabata et al. Supportive Care in Cancer 2014; 23, 365-370
  30.  Meng et al. Clin Nutr 2021; 40(1):40-46

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