Nutrition plays a vital role in cancer control by optimising nutritional status during treatment or assisting to maintain a healthy weight post treatment. All methods of cancer treatment can influence nutritional needs, alter regular eating habits, and adversely affect how the body digests, absorbs, and uses food.
Common side effects of cancer treatment can lead to inadequate nutrient intake and subsequent malnutrition are often an ongoing concern for health professionals caring for patients. Nutrition is one of the important emerging areas of cancer prevention and control.
The Nutrition Group has been formed with the intention of making it the chief national multi disciplinary forum for health professionals with specific expertise and interest in nutrition and oncology issues. The group will review and look at new projects in nutrition-related issues arising from the cancer or cancer treatments. The aim of the group is to raise awareness of the role of nutrition in cancer care services and achieve a more evidence based approach to the nutrition management of those with cancer.
Chair: Judy Bauer
Ms Bauer announced its first major project is supported by a $80,000.00 grant to produce nutrition based guidelines for head and neck cancers.
For more details regarding this group or to become a member please contact us at: cosa@cancer.org.au.