Diet and nutrition for 
            oncology patients
     Presented by: Jami Tran-Balk RD, LMNT, CSO and Gina Woodruff RD, LMNT
   Learning Objectives
   • Identify active treatment patients at nutrition risk and refer to a 
    Register Dietitian.
   • Identify 2 nutrition solutions for common side effect of chemotherapy 
    and radiation therapy.
   • Understand cancer prevention recommendations as outlined by The 
    American Institute for Cancer Research.
         Identifying Nutrition At-Risk
        • Visual assessment                            • Defining Adult Malnutrition:
        • Verbal report from patient                       • Loss of lean muscle mass
        • Vitals                                           • Imbalance of energy
        • Cancer type                                      • Potential functional 
                                                             impairment, decreased QOL, increased 
            • Gastrointestinal and Head and Neck             fatigue, and decreased chance of full 
              cancers are at greatest risk for weight        treatment tolerance
              loss and malnutrition.                       • Overweight and Obese individuals are 
            • Upon diagnosis, upper GI and lung              at risk for malnutrition
              cancers have already experienced 
              significant weight loss (>5% BW in 1 
              month, >10% BW in 6 months).
            • As little as 6% weight loss can reduce a 
              person's treatment tolerance and 
              outcome. (Ex: 165# person loses 10#)
                                               Patient-reported/ 
                                               Subjective Information
          •   Light-headed, dizziness
          •   Falling at home
          •   Self-reported weight loss/ gain
          •   Weak/loss of strength or ability to 
              perform ADL
          •   Decreased appetite
          •   Changes to taste/smell
          •   Difficulty chewing/swallowing
          •   Nausea/vomiting