Closing the Nutritional Care Gap in Cancer Treatment

Cancer is estimated to affect about half of us during our lifetimes, profoundly impacting patients and their loved ones1. Danone is committed to supporting patients and healthcare systems to drive better health outcomes through advanced research, pioneering medical nutrition, and educational services.

1 WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer: link

33m

ADULTS IN THE EU SUFFER FROM UNTREATED MALNUTRITION2

costing 170 billion euros annually 

up to70%

PATIENTS WITH CANCER SUFFER FROM MALNUTRITION3

affecting treatment outcomes 

1 in 3

PATIENTS WITH CANCER WHO NEED MEDICAL NUTRITION, GET IT4

despite its clinically proven benefits 

2 Medical Nutrition Industry International, 2020

3 Ryan AM, et al. Nutrition. 2019;67-68:110539

4 Ipsos European Oncology Patient Survey, data on file, 2023

Malnutrition in patients with cancer

Malnutrition is a condition where a person is not getting the right nutrition in the right amount to sustain their health.

It can affect up to 70% of patients with cancer, as a result of both the disease and the treatment. Patients often experience eating difficulties (such as taste alterations or swallowing issues), leading to insufficient food intake and weight or muscle loss, which can be detrimental when the body needs to be at its strongest, causing delays or interruptions in treatment5.

While on the rise, disease-related malnutrition, such as in cancer, remains a severely underrecognized public health issue in the European Union. This can be due to low awareness, insufficient screening, and lack of healthcare resources.

5 Ipsos European Oncology Patient Survey, data on file, 2023


Medical nutrition can make a real difference in the lives of people battling cancer, supporting treatment outcomes and quality of life6. Designed and clinically proven to address the nutritional needs of malnourished patients, medical nutrition can supplement their regular food and drink intake to ensure patients meet their daily nutritional needs.

However, despite its benefits, medical nutrition is underutilized, with only 1 in 3 cancer patients who need it receiving it7.

6 Burden et al. 2017 J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle, 8(3):437-486

7 Ipsos European Oncology Patient Survey, data on file, 2023

Medical nutrition and cancer

Addressing policy gaps in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan

Every patient deserves to receive malnutrition screening, reliable nutrition advice from healthcare professionals, and nutritional support when necessary. To achieve this, we need to integrate nutrition services into care frameworks by addressing gaps in workforce training, clinical pathways, dietetic services, and reimbursement schemes.

 

Cancer has been a key health priority at the EU level. Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, unveiled in 2021, sets out a common approach to cancer prevention, treatment, and care. However, despite the proven benefits of medical nutrition in cancer treatment and recovery, nutritional support is still omitted from the Plan.

Our Call to Action: Close the nutritional care gap

As outlined in our EU Call to Action 2024-2029 and in the wake of the European Parliament resolution on the report “Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer”, Danone urges EU policymakers to revise Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to fully acknowledge the role of nutritional support, and medical nutrition in particular, in treatments:

Danone urges EU policymakers to revise Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to fully acknowledge the role of nutritional support, and medical nutrition in particular, in treatments:

1. Screening and monitoring cancer patients for malnutrition to provide timely nutritional care
 

2. Implementing existing clinical nutrition guidelines for cancer patients

3. Providing equal access to and reimbursement for medical nutrition

4. Implementing multi-disciplinary oncology teams, including dietitians or registered nutritionists

5. Educating health professionals and patient advocates on the importance of nutritional care, and informing cancer patients about the importance of good nutrition status in cancer care

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