Anti-cancer treatment can interfere with your body's normal nutritional intake. Common symptoms such as taste changes, nausea and mucositis can make it harder to eat well.
Over time, this can affect muscle strength, physical ability and how well the body responds to treatment.
What Can Help When Food Intake Isn't Enough?
When diet isn't meeting your needs due to low appetite, side effects, or increased requirements, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) can help fill the gap with energy, protein, and key nutrients.
These nutritional drinks or desserts can support you at every stage, whether that's before surgery, during treatment or through to recovery, helping to top up energy and protein alongside your normal meals.
Mary's Story: Staying Nourished Through Cancer Treatment
Mary, 56, was living with pancreatic cancer and finding it hard to eat well due to pain and significant weight loss.
Working closely with her care team, her nutrition plan was carefully adapted at each stage, through surgery and chemotherapy, helping her maintain adequate nutrition and stay as strong as possible throughout her treatment journey.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
Check your nutritional status early using our Nutritional Status Checker or ask your healthcare team about screening.
Tell your doctor or dietitian about any changes in appetite, weight, or potential gastrointestinal symptoms that reduce your ability to eat. If your food intake isn't enough, ONS can help fill nutritional gaps.
Starting support before surgery or anti-cancer therapies can improve your outcome.
*Food for special medical purposes. To be used under medical supervision. Supportan is for the dietary management in case/risk of malnutrition, esp. with cancer, chronic catabolic diseases and/or cachexia.