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Why Nutrition Matters During Cancer

Anti-cancer treatment can interfere with your body's normal nutritional intake.1 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.2,3

Fresubin explains that more than 40% of cancer patients experience involuntary weight loss

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.

 

Side effects making eating difficult? Find the right support: ONS from Fresubin can top up nutrients alongside your usual food. Get expert guidance: ask your doctor or dietitian which ONS and Fresubin range suits your needs. Address symptoms: targeted strategies can help manage appetite loss, fatigue, and mouth or GI tract ulcers

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 nutritional support before surgery or anticancer treatment may improve your outcome.

Fresubin explains common cancer symptoms that affect eating: Appetite loss affects 50-60% of patients at diagnosis and a reduced appetite leads to weight loss and increased nutritional risk. Fatigue affects up to 90% of patients and adequate energy and protein helps your body cope. Cancer reduces muscle mass, strength, and physical function. Mucositis, mouth sores and swallowing difficulties significantly reduce food intake.

*Supportan and Fresubin products are Food for Special Medical Purposes. To be used under medical supervision.

*For the dietary management in case/risk of malnutrition, esp. with cancer,  chronic catabolic diseases and/or cachexia. 

1. Milliron BJ, et al. When Eating Becomes Torturous: Understanding Nutrition-Related Cancer Treatment Side Effects among Individuals with Cancer and Their Caregivers. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 14;14(2):356. 

2. Tisdale MJ. Mechanisms of Cancer Cachexia. Physiological Reviews. 2009;89(2):381–410.

3. Bossi P, et al. The Spectrum of Malnutrition/Cachexia/Sarcopenia in Oncology According to Different Cancer Types and Settings: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2021 Jun 9;13(6):1980. 

4.  Campos MPO, et al. Cancer-related fatigue: a practical review. Ann Oncol. 2011 Jun;22(6):1273-1279.

5. Adams LA, et al. Putting evidence into practice: evidence-based interventions to prevent and manage anorexia. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2009 Feb;13(1):95-102.