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Diet and Nutrition Approaches to Support Cancer Patients Post-Acute Active Treatment

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Dr. Furness Kate

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Guest Editor

Department Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
Interests: upper gastrointestinal cancers; pancreatic; oesophageal; gastric; nutrition; malnutrition; mixed methods

Dr. Brenton Baguley

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Guest Editor

Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
Interests: prostate cancer; cancer survivorship; body composition; mediterranean diet; exercise; nutrition intervention; health services

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer treatment-related side effects can range from acute to chronic, which collectively reduce quality of life. The high prevalence of malnutrition and muscle loss in some tumour streams (i.e., upper gastrointestinal and head and neck) require early identification, referral and management from nutrition and other allied health services to prevent poor clinical outcomes occurring. Acutely post-treatment cancer patients are often faced with ongoing side effects from treatment, fear of cancer relapse, and other physical, emotional, financial and social concerns. Improving the access and availability of nutrition and other allied health services to patients after cancer treatment is paramount to improving quality of life.

This Special Issue on the “Diet and Nutrition Approaches to Support Cancer Patients Post-Acute Active Treatment” will focus on all aspects regarding the acute management of people who have completed their cancer treatment. Researchers are invited to submit original research articles using any study design, including case studies, cross-sectional studies, implementation or interventional studies, cohort studies, and reviews and meta-analyses. We aim to publish a wide range of papers in this Special Issue and encourage you to submit your research. Additionally, we ask that you please share this announcement with any colleagues you think may be interested.

Dr. Furness Kate
Dr. Brenton Baguley
Guest Editors

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18 pages, 2282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of a Dietitian and the Canadian Nutrition Screening Tool in a Geriatric Oncology Clinic

by Harriet Ho, Linda Cerullo, Rana Jin, Susie Monginot and Shabbir M. H. Alibhai

Nutrients 2025, 17(9), 1591; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091591 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 273

Abstract

Introduction: Canada’s aging population is leading to an increased number of older adults being diagnosed with cancer. This population faces unique challenges, including frailty, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and malnutrition, which can negatively affect treatment outcomes. The role of registered dietitians (RDs) in managing nutrition-related issues in this population is well-documented, but there is limited research on their integration into geriatric oncology clinics. We evaluated the impact of integrating a registered dietitian (RD) into the Older Adult with Cancer Clinic (OACC) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of older adult cancer patients seen at the OACC, comparing outcomes before and after the RD’s integration. The focus was on weight characteristics and change, malnutrition screening/identification, and management. The two-item Canadian Nutrition Screening Tool (CNST) was introduced during the RD’s integration and was also examined to see its usefulness in identifying malnutrition risk. Chi-squared tests and t-tests were used for data analysis. Results: The pre-cohort (n = 140) had a mean age of 80.2 years, 48.6% female, and 77.9% vulnerable (Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) ≥ 3). The post-cohort (n = 117) had a mean age of 81.4 years, 59.8% female, and 80.3% vulnerable (VES-13 ≥ 3). Weight change within 3 ± 1 months after the initial OACC consult was similar between pre and post groups with −1.4 kg and −1.2 kg, respectively (p = 0.77). Patients at nutritional risk, as determined by the OACC team, generated significantly more referrals to the RD in the post group (100% vs. 36.4%, p < 0.001). Among patients who had CNST screening and saw the RD, there was a higher rate of high nutrition risk among CNST-positive compared to CNST-negative patients (67.2% versus 44.4%, respectively). After the integration of the RD, a greater number of patients at nutritional risk received nutritional education and referrals to other healthcare professionals (43 versus 1). Conclusions: The integration of an RD into the OACC led to improved referral rates, nutritional education, and referrals to other healthcare professionals. Moreover, patients who were CNST positive were more likely to have high nutritional risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Nutrition Approaches to Support Cancer Patients Post-Acute Active Treatment)

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