The role of diet, nutritional assessment and intervention in the prevention of cancer and the treatment of cancer-related malnutrition

Nutrition plays a fundamental role in both the prevention and the treatment of cancer. Malnutrition is known to be highly prevalent in oncology setting and is associated with adverse clinical consequences. This project involved describing the prevalence of malnutrition in Irish oncology patients using gold standard methods (CT scans) and developed practice based solutions to address malnutrition in the oncology setting. Additionally this project initiated the development of a series of resources for cancer patients to improve oral intake during treatment and a further resource aimed to support patient’s recovery in the survival stage. Additionally an evidence based resource for cancer prevention through healthy eating and lifestyle advice was developed and will be published in 2018.

https://www.breakthroughcancerresearch.ie/nutrition/