The essential role of nutritional support along the cancer journey

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 treatment^1-4.

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 outcomes^3,4.

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

Reduction in changes to scheduled anti-cancer treatment by up to 60%⁹.

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

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

Reduction in hospitalizations by 50%¹⁰.

High protein medical nutrition increases muscle mass during chemotherapy¹².

Reduce length of hospital stay by -2.5 days^14,15.

EASY DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF MALNUTRITION IS ESSENTIAL IN OPTIMAL CANCER CARE^3,4

Screen all cancer patients for nutritional risk beginning at diagnosis

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

Re-screen patients for nutritional risk at regular intervals

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

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].