more of the half of cancer patients with muscle loss decrease or stop their treatments. This problem requires a multidisciplinary approach. However, the relationship between nutrition and cancer is twofold. On the one hand, an inadequate diet can increase the incidence of certain types of cancer. On the other hand, cancer itself and its treatments means that malnutrition appears in cancer patients.
Thus, the prevalence of disease-related malnutrition in cancer patients varies depending on the type of tumor. Specific, malnutrition is very common in patients with neoplasms of the digestive tract such as pancreatic and stomach cancer (83-85 percent). On the other hand, it is frequent in patients with lung, prostate and colon cancer (54-60 percent), and less frequent in the case of breast cancer (32-48 percent).
“Illness-related malnutrition in general, and more specifically in cancer patients, very negatively affects their clinical evolution, quality of life, toxicity derived from treatments, etc., which confers a worse clinical prognosis”. This is stated by Samara Palma, coordinator of the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the La Paz University Hospital (Madrid).
Malnutrition in cancer patients
With these data as a backdrop, specialists emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach to cancer. In this way, nutrition is a key element to be able to face treatments, which must be personalized according to the type of tumor and other parameters. “Because no two patients with cancer and malnutrition are the same and, therefore, if we treated all patients in the same way, we would be limiting the chances of success derived from the application of individualized treatments. Nutritional medical treatment should be guided by an adequate assessment of the patient’s nutritional status. All this taking into account the clinical context of the patient (tumor, stage, antineoplastic treatments, age, functional status, prognosis and life expectancy, family support, etc.)”, explains the expert.
It should be remembered that malnutrition in cancer patients is present from the beginning of the disease. Studies reveal how at the time of diagnosis, more than 50 percent of cancer patients have some type of nutritional problem. For this reason, Danone’s specialized nutrition division has launched a campaign “Each cancer patient is unique, our solutions too”, aimed at medical professionals to address this problem.
–
