The essential role of protein intake at every stage of the cancer journey

PROTEIN is important for numerous structural and functional purposes. It is essential for growth and repair of the body and plays an important role in immune functioning1,2.

In patients with cancer, protein needs are increased as a result of abnormalities in protein metabolism, whereby protein breakdown is increased and protein synthesis rates are reduced, leading to muscle loss3.

Low muscle mass can happen at any stage of cancer and is associated with severe side effects of cancer treatment, poorer surgical outcomes and shorter survival time4.

Preserving adequate nutritional status and muscle can support outcomes during anti-cancer treatment. Therefore, prompt nutritional support to address energy and protein needs is recommended along the oncology journey5,6.

xxx

ESPEN & ESMO Protein recommendations5,6.

>1 g/kg/day and if possible, up to 1.5 g/kg/day in all patients with cancer

xxx
DID YOU KNOW?

49-66% OF CANCER PATIENTS DO NOT COMSUME SUFFICIENT PROTEIN ACCORDING TO RECOMMENDATIONS7-9

If food intake is not sufficient to meet protein and energy needs, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) can help patients meet their nutritional needs5,6.

LOW PROTEIN INTAKE IS ASSOCIATED WITH:

xxx

Low muscle mass10,11

xxx

Cancer related fatigue9,12

xxx

Survival9,13,14

xxx

BODY WEIGHT AND MUSCLE MASS15-17

xxx

TOLERANCE TO ANTI-CANCER TREATMENT16,18

xxx

RADIOTHERAPY TOLERANCE16

xxx

POST OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS15,19,20

xxx

LENGTH OF HOSPITAL STAY19,20

IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER HIGH PROTEIN ONS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO IMPROVE:

xxx

Fortimel Compact Protein can support oncology patients to meet protein recommendations21.

Fortimel Compact Protein

Fortimel Compact Protein is a food for special medical purposes, a high protein, high energy, oral nutritional supplement. Available in sensory adapted flavours designed specifically for cancer patients experiencing taste alterations.

 

View product

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.

View infographic

Nutritional care is important at every stop of the patient journey

Cancer treatment is often a complex and difficult journey, and ensuring patients are fit to receive treatment is crucial to improve patient outcomes and prognosis. Cancer treatments act a trigger of catabolism, leading to weight and muscle loss, that adversely impact clinical outcomes[27-30]. Early detection and treatment of malnutrition is essential to optimize cancer care[5-6].

View infographic

  1. Wu et al. Food & function 2016; 7, 1251-1265
  2. Calder et al. Proc Nutr Soc 2013; 72(3):299-309
  3. Baracos et al. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2018; 18(4):17105
  4. Daly et al. Proc Nutr Soc 2018; 77(2):135-151
  5. Arends et al. Clin Nutr 2017; 6(1):11-48
  6. Arends et al. ESMO Open 2021; 6(3):100092
  7. Prado et al. Canadian journal of dietetic practice and research 2012; 73(4):e298-303
  8. McCurdy et al. Nutrients 2019; 11(11)
  9. Stobaus et al. Nutr Cancer 2015; 67(5):818-24
  10.  Tobberup et al. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2019; 34:94-100
  11.  Capitao et al. Support care cancer 2022; 30(4):3007-3015
  12.  Reueme et al. 2021 Support Care Cancer, 29(2):687-696
  13.  Hase_awa et al. Clin Nutr 2021; 40(7):4792-4798
  14.  Pimentel et al. Clin Nutr 2021; 40(3): 1376-1380
  15.  Kabata et al. Supportive Care in Cancer 2014; 23, 365-370
  16.  Cereda et al. Radiother Oncol 2018; 126(1):81-88
  17.  Grupinska et al. Nutrients 2021; 13, 3549
  18.  Meng et al. Clin Nutr 2021; 40(1):40-46
  19.  Manasek et al. Kin Onkol 2016; 29(5):351-357
  20.  Garcia et al. Nutrition and Cancer 2019 ; 72(5):801-807
  21.  Dinemans et al. ESPEN Poster presentation 2022; ESPEN22-ABS-1382
  22.  Spotten et al. Ann Oncol 2017; 28:969-84
  23.  Drareni et al. Semin Oncol 2019; 46:160-72
  24.  Brisbois et al. J Pain Symptom Manage 2011; 41:673-83
  25.  Boltong et al. Support Care Cancer 2012; 20:2765-74
  26.  Belqaid et al. Acta Oncol 2014; 53:1405-12
  27.  Ryan et al. Nutrition 2019; 67-68:110539
  28.  Pressoir M et al. Br J Cancer 2010; 102(6) :966-971
  29.  Laviano et al. Proc Nutr Soc 2018; 77(4):388-393
  30.  Daly et al. Cancer 2020; 126 (12), 2872-82

Are you a healthcare professional or (carer of) a diagnosed patient?

The product information for this area of specialization is intended for healthcare professionals or (carers of) diagnosed patients only, as these products are for use under healthcare professional supervision.

Please click ‘Yes’ if you are a healthcare professional or (carer of) a diagnosed patient, or ‘No’ to be taken to a full list of our products.

No

The information on this page is intended for healthcare professionals only.

If you aren't a healthcare professional, you can visit the page with general information, by clicking 'I'm not a healthcare professional' below.

x