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 is 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 multidisciplinary forum for health professionals with specific expertise and interest in nutrition and oncology issues. The group reviews and looks 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.
Associate Professor Bauer announced the Nutrition group’s first major project is the development of evidence-based nutrition guidelines for head and neck cancers. The primary investigators for this project are Ms Merran Findlay and A/Prof Judy Bauer with funding supported by an $80,000 grant from the Cancer Institute of NSW. Ms Teresa Brown has been employed as project officer.
Members have access to the Health Nutrition Education Materials Online (NEMO) in the members’ area.
In 2011 the Group held a Clnical Professional Day on the 14 November in Perth. Please click here to read the report.
Chair: Associate Professor Judy Bauer
Group Resources
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Contact COSA for more information about this group.
Those with an interest in the role of nutrition in cancer care services are welcome to join the Nutrition Group. COSA membership comes with a range of member benefits.
To become a member of this group select the Nutrition membership box on the COSA joining form. Current members can join this group by selecting the Nutrition membership box in update profile in the members’ area.
