Managing malnutrition in Oncology
Identification of malnutrition
Identification of malnutrition through screening is imperative, as recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)1 and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN)2,3. Screening should be performed at the time of diagnosis.
Early nutritional intevention is key to support patient outcomes
Benefit of nutritional intervention on several quality of life aspects during treatment.4
Up to 50% reduction in post-operative complications after pre-operative ONS intervention.5,6
Up to a 3-day reduction in length of hospital stay.6
20% increase in probability of survival following early nutritional intervention and weight gain in some cancer patients.7
Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) play a role in cancer patients' journey
ESPEN (2016)2 and ESPEN (2021)3 highlight the role that nutritional intevention plays in Oncology patients.
“Nutritional interventions are recommended to increase oral intake in cancer patients who are able to eat but are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. This includes dietary advice, the treatment of symptoms and derangements impairing food intake (nutrition impact symptoms), and offering oral nutritional supplements.”