Keep on Empowering Cancer Care: Clinical Evidence for Improving Patient Outcomes
Food alone is often insufficient to cover all your cancer patients’ nutritional needs. 1-2
ESPEN recognises the importance of supplementing food with medical nutrition as an integral part of cancer care.² Dietary challenges such as appetite decline and reduced protein intake, and lifestyle choices, such as a plant-based diet, and sensory issues may impact nutritional intake and overall health. ³⁻¹⁰
Appetite decline
Almost two thirds of cancer patients have experienced eating problems as a consequence of their treatment. They report they eat less due to a loss of appetite, feeling full quickly and not feeling like eating. A significant 57% of patients report having lost more than 10% of their body weight during cancer.3
Reduced protein intake
Patients with cancer need up to twice as much protein as healthy adults^4,5 but up to 2 in 3 patients are not meeting their recommended protein requirements.6
Sensory issues
Up to 70% of patients with cancer experience taste and smell changes, that may develop throughout the course of the disease and up to 1 year after treatment.7 Alterations in the senses can lead to a reduction in food intake resulting in increased weight loss.7,8
Plant-based lifestyle
29% of Australians use plant-based, milk alternatives at least once per week and the number is increasing9 In the next 12 months, 34% of Australians are likely to become vegan or vegetarian.10
Learn from Leading Experts
Your Cancer Care, Our Tailored Nutrition
Discover our range of medical nutrition products to find the best option for your patients with cancer.
Fortisip Compact Protein, our low volume, high protein formula, enabled patients with cancer to meet ESPEN recommended protein intake.⁶
Cancer-related malnutrition and taste alterations
Fortisip Compact Protein Sensations, our compact high protein formula with sensory-adapted flavours, has been validated as ‘liked by patients’ undergoing cancer treatment¹¹ and provides a cool or warm taste sensation.
Cancer-related malnutrition and dairy alternative
Fortisip PlantBased our unique vegan formula is a high-quality blend of pea and soy protein that achieved greater compliance than baseline~ Prescribed ONS12 and is suitable as a sole Plant-based source of nutrition.#
Access our Oncology Evidence Booklet and Nutricia Product Range for Cancer Care
- Summaries of the latest clinical evidence to improve patient outcomes
- Explore a range of medical nutrition products to find the most suitable options for your patients.
HCP Detailer
Evidence booklet
Fortisip products are food for special medical purposes and must be used under medical supervision.
^Compared to healthy adults, whose protein requirements is 0.84 g/kg/day, adults with cancer are recommended to have >1.2g/kg/day and up to 2g/kg/day.
** According to ESPEN guidelines, the additional use of ONS is advised when an enriched diet is not effective in reaching nutritional goals. Medical nutrition is indicated if patients are unable to eat adequately (e.g. less than 50% of the requirement for more than one week or only 50–75% of the requirement for more than two weeks).
~ Prior to commencing the study patients (n=8) were taking a different oral nutritional supplement.
# In accordance with Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.9.5.
- Caccialanza R, et al. Supp Care in Cancer Jul 2022.
- Muscaritoli M, et al. Oncotarget Advance Publications. Aug 2017;1-13.
- Data on file: IPSOS, Nutrition in Cancer Care survey. 2023.
- Arends J, et al. ESMO Open. 2021;6(3):100092.
- Arends J, et al. Clin Nutr. 2017;36(1):11-48.
- Dingemans AM, et al. Nutrients. 2023;15(24):5030.
- Spotten LE, et al. Ann Oncol. 2017;28(5):969-984
- Brisbois TD, et al. J Pain Symptom Manae. 2011;41:673-83.
- Plant Based Eating. CHOICE 2021. 10. Understanding the New Asian Consumer. PwC, Rabobank and Temasek 2020. Available at: The Asia Food Challenge 2021 (pwc.co.nz) (Accessed September 2023).
- de Haan JJ, et al. Support Care Cancer. 2021;29:5691-9.
- Nutricia UK ACBS trial, data on file 2022.