Managing the effects of cancer and cancer treatments on patients' nutritional status

Nurs Stand. 2021 Mar 3;36(3):54-60. doi: 10.7748/ns.2021.e11692. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Abstract

Adequate nutrition is a basic requirement of the human body, supporting cell growth and optimal organ function. The nutritional requirements of patients with cancer can increase due to systemic inflammatory responses caused by cancer and cancer treatments. Nurses have an important role in providing nutritional interventions to patients undergoing treatment for cancer, through education and person-centred nutritional care. This article examines which nutritional interventions provided by nurses can relieve symptoms and side effects, improve nutritional status and enhance quality of life in patients with cancer.

Keywords: cancer; cancer treatments; diet; malnutrition; nausea; nursing care; nutrition; nutritional status; patient outcomes; patients; professional; quality of life; screening; undernutrition.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Malnutrition* / etiology
  • Neoplasms* / complications
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Nutritional Status
  • Nutritional Support
  • Quality of Life