Infuse Issue 11 May 2020 | Page 23

When people are unable to meet their
nutrition requirements with food alone,
oral nutrition supplements (ONS) can
be prescribed. These supplements are
nutritionally dense, low volume drinks,
and can provide up to 100% of nutrition
requirements if required. Choosing the
right product involves consideration
of clinical requirement, taste, volume,
viscosity, tolerance, palatability, patient
preferences and nutritional density of the
product.
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT)
is an evidence-based approach to
managing chronic medical conditions
using an individually-tailored nutrition
intervention. The goal of MNT in the
oncology patient is to reduce the impact
of side effects and provide strategies to
meet individual nutrition requirements,
to minimise weight loss and the risk of
malnutrition. A range of strategies are
utilised, including food fortification,
tailored dietary education, symptom
management, oral nutrition supplement
prescription, enteral nutrition and
parenteral nutrition.
Sometimes diet and ONS are still not
adequate. In these cases, enteral and
parenteral nutrition can be used. In some
treatment modalities, provision of enteral
or parental nutrition is standard practice
and can be prescribed prior, during or post-
surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
As you can see, nutrition is a major concern
for those living with cancer. With such
pressure on nutritional status, nutrition
support is crucial in the management of
people living with cancer. A Dietitian within
the multidisciplinary team is paramount to
optimise nutrition.
Image courtesy of Jacqueline Baker
© Dietitian Connection
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Infuse | May 2020