Malnutrition in cancer happens when the body doesn’t get the nutrients it needs to cope with the illness and its treatment. Patients may eat less due to reduced appetite or nausea, pain, or fatigue. At the same time, their bodies often need more energy and protein to fight the disease and recover from treatment. The result is often weight and muscle loss.

These changes aren’t just uncomfortable – they directly impact the treatment. Malnourished patients may struggle to tolerate chemotherapy, face more complications such as infections, and spend longer time in hospital³.

 The truth is it’s incredibly common. Research shows that up to 70% of patients with cancer experience malnutrition¹. Despite this, it often goes unnoticed and untreated, compromising treatment outcomes for millions. 

Malnutrition is not consistently addressed in cancer care. Nutritional care isn’t always a standard part of the treatment plan, and many patients and caregivers don’t know what to look out for or how to ask for help.

One of the proven solutions is often overlooked: medical nutrition. Medical nutrition refers to science-based drinks and foods prescribed by a healthcare professional, designed to meet the nutritional needs of patients with or at risk of disease-related malnutrition. Research shows that medical nutrition can help maintain weight and muscle mass, improve quality of life, increase tolerance to treatment, reduce complications, and shorten hospital stays^3,4.

Only 1 in 3 patients who need medical nutrition actually receive it^2,5 – highlighting a gap with significant consequences.