In oncology, what we see on the surface doesn’t always tell the full story. Join Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian Lauren Atkins for an insightful webinar that moves beyond the "visible" signs of malnutrition to explore the nutritional complexities of less-serviced cancer types. We will delve into the specific challenges faced by patients undergoing treatment for cancers that are not traditionally considered high nutritional risk (e.g. breast, prostate, gynaecological), and discuss challenges such as malabsorption, altered nutritional requirements, body composition, body image and food relationship changes.
Lauren will explore the importance of "every body" nutrition, challenging the weight-centric bias that often leaves patients with higher BMIs at risk of sarcopenia, nutritional and functional decline, and inadequate support. By understanding the nutritional physiology behind the scenes of cancer treatment, nurses will be better equipped to identify and advocate for patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks of standard care. We will discuss practical strategies for fostering a positive relationship with food and one’s body during and after treatment.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the unique nutritional risks and malabsorption challenges associated with prostate and gynaecological radiation therapy.
- Critique the limitations of weight- and BMI-based screening and understand the clinical significance of sarcopenic obesity in oncology populations.
- Describe how to apply a HAES-aligned, non-diet approach to support patients experiencing body composition and body image changes during breast cancer treatment.
- Recognise the "silent" markers of malnutrition, such as inflammatory shifts, nutritional inadequacies and muscle loss, to facilitate earlier intervention and referral.
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