Closing the Nutritional Care Gap in Cancer Treatment

With 20 million new diagnoses every year, cancer is estimated to affect about half of us during our lifetimes1, profoundly impacting patients and loved ones alike. Danone is committed to supporting patients and healthcare systems by driving better health outcomes through advanced research, pioneering medical nutrition, and educational services.

1 Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today, 2024; WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer: link

33million

ADULTS IN THE EU SUFFER FROM UNTREATED MALNUTRITION2

costing €170 billion annually 

up to70%

OF PATIENTS WITH CANCER SUFFER FROM MALNUTRITION3

affecting treatment outcomes 

only1 in 3

PATIENTS WITH CANCER WHO NEED MEDICAL NUTRITION, RECEIVE IT4

despite its clinically proven benefits 

2 Medical Nutrition Industry International, 2020

3 Ryan AM, et al. Nutrition. 2019;67-68:110539

4 Meijers JM, et al. Nutrition. 2009 May;25(5):512-9;  Bavelaar et al, Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;27(3):431-8; Planas et al. 2015 Support Care Cancer, 24, 429-435

  • Malnutrition is highly prevalent among patients with cancer, affecting up to 70% of them, both as a result of the disease and the treatment. This can be detrimental for patient outcomes and quality of life.
     
  • Medical nutrition is specifically designed to address the needs of malnourished patients. Yet, despite its proven clinical benefits, only a limited number of patients receive the right nutritional support, as medical nutrition is often overlooked in cancer policies.
     

Malnutrition in patients with cancer

Malnutrition is a condition where a person is not getting the right nutrition in the right amount to sustain their health.

It can affect up to 70% of patients with cancer, as a result of both the disease and the treatment. Patients and their caregivers regularly report eating difficulties (such as taste alterations or swallowing issues)6, leading to insufficient food intake and weight or muscle loss.

Malnutrition and weight loss can negatively impact patient outcomes and quality of life during cancer, causing reduced strength, more complications, treatment delays or interruptions, infections, and longer hospital stays.

Despite these detrimental effects, cancer-related malnutrition remains a severely under-recognized public health issue in the European Union, with an estimated annual cost of up to €120 billion8. This gap can be attributed to low awareness and education, insufficient screening, and lack of healthcare resources, as underlined by the WHO/Europe's 2023 and 2024 calls.

5 Ryan AM, et al. Nutrition. 2019;67-68:110539

6 Ipsos European Oncology Patient Survey, data on file, 2023; Ipsos European Informal Caregiver Survey, data on file, 2024

7 World Health Organization, 2024;  Medical Nutrition Industry International, 2020; Ipsos European Oncology Patient Survey, data on file, 2023

8 Caccialanza R, et al. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2022;30:9667–9679

The role of medical nutrition in cancer care


Medical nutrition can make a real difference in the lives of people battling cancer, supporting treatment outcomes and quality of life9. Designed and clinically proven to address the nutritional needs of malnourished patients, medical nutrition can supplement their regular food and drink intake to ensure patients meet their daily nutritional needs.

The use of medical nutrition as part of a nutritional support plan in cancer care is supported by clinical trials that have demonstrated benefits in weight gain, fewer complications and shorter length of hospital stay10. In fact, 85% of patients with cancer who used medical nutrition as part of the care report that it supported them throughout their treatment11.

However, despite its benefits, medical nutrition is underutilized, with only 1 in 3 cancer patients who need it receiving it12.

9 Burden et al. 2017 J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 8(3):437-486

10 Burden et al, 2017; Manasek et al, 2016; Kabata et al, 2014; Garvia et al, 2020; Baldwin et al, 2012; Cereda et al, 2018; Meng et al, 2021

11 Ipsos European Oncology Patient Survey, data on file, 2023

12 Meijers JM, et al. Nutrition. 2009 May;25(5):512-9;  Bavelaar et al, Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun;27(3):431-8; Planas et al. 2015 Support Care Cancer, 24, 429-435

Medical nutrition and cancer

Addressing policy gaps in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan

Every patient deserves to receive malnutrition screening, reliable nutrition advice from healthcare professionals, and nutritional support when necessary. To achieve this, we need to integrate nutrition services into care frameworks by addressing gaps in workforce training, clinical pathways, dietetic services, and reimbursement schemes.

 

Cancer has been a key health priority at the EU level. Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, unveiled in 2021, sets out a common approach to cancer prevention, treatment, and care. Yet, despite the European Parliament resolution on the report “Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer” calling on Member States to incorporate clinical nutrition in all aspects of cancer care, nutritional support is still omitted from the Plan.

Our Call to Action: Close the nutritional care gap

Echoing the recent call from WHO/Europe, Danone urges EU policymakers to revise Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to fully acknowledge the role of nutritional support, particularly, medical nutrition, as outlined in our EU Call to Action 2024-2029:

1. Screening and monitoring cancer patients for malnutrition to provide timely nutritional care
 

2. Implementing existing clinical nutrition guidelines for cancer patients

3. Providing equal access to and reimbursement for medical nutrition

4. Implementing multi-disciplinary oncology teams, including dietitians or registered nutritionists

5. Educating health professionals and patient advocates on the importance of nutritional care, and informing cancer patients about the importance of good nutritional status in cancer care

See more