The essential role of oncology nurses in addressing malnutrition in cancer
Malnutrition in cancer
Cancer and its treatment side effects lead to nutritional challenges, decreased food intake and weight loss. Poor nutritional status can have negative implications on treatment, its tolerance and quality of life of oncology patients.2-5 Hence, this is why nutritional screening, education and management play key roles in cancer care.
You have a central role to play in the early recognition and treatment of malnutrition in patients with cancer
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) cancer cachexia guidelines6 acknowledge the important role of oncology nurses in:
- Screening for nutritional risk
- Taking action for those identified as malnourished / low muscle mass
- Action includes dietary advice and oral nutritional supplements as required
- Refer to the dietitian as required
- Your role as nurse is key in managing nutrition impact symptoms (dry mouth, nausea, taste changes, pain etc.)
Screening for malnutrition can be quick and easy
Use of screening tools vary between hospitals and Trusts, please check your local practices.
Comprehensive Resources for Understanding Nutrition in patients with cancer
To support you in understanding more about the importance of nutrition, we have created a toolkit of various resources. These resources are designed to assist you in your practice, providing the necessary tools to enhance your knowledge and confidence in nutrition-related care with your oncology patients.
Educational presentation
Our toolkit includes an educational presentation on nutrition in cancer that takes you through the importance of good nutrition throughout the cancer journey. It includes how to identify malnutrition and practical support tools on nutritional intervention that are easy to include in clinical practice.
Healthcare professional resources
Our toolkit includes a range of resources on nutrition screening and key signs of malnutrition that can be incorporated into your practice, along with information on our oral nutritional supplement product portfolio. These resources provide information on the research and clinical evidence supporting our products and key features and nutritional composition of products to ensure that you have all the necessary information to make informed decisions.
Identification of Malnutrition
- Ryan, et al. Nutrition. 2019 ;67-68 :110539
- Hsueh, et al. Support Care Cancer. 2021 :29 [9] :5455-5462.
- Muscaritoli et al. 2021. Front. Oncol. 11: 682999.
- Zhang, et al. J Geriatr Oncol. 2019 ; 10[6] :874-883.
- Grober, et al. Nutrients 2016 ; 8[3] :163
- Arends et al. ESMO Open. 2021, 6(3): 100092
The Fortisip Range are Foods for Special Medical Purposes for the dietary management of disease related malnutrition and must be used under medical supervision.
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