Phase II Malnutrition in Victorian Cancer Services: summary report

The supportive care needs of people with cancer need to be identified early in order to deliver timely interventions to optimise patient outcomes. Malnutrition is a common supportive care need in patients with cancer and is associated with poor clinical and functional consequences. As the number of cancer diagnoses rises every year, it becomes increasingly essential to ensure evidence-based nutrition care is provided by dietitians and the multidisciplinary team to optimise the health and wellbeing of people with cancer. Eating well before, during and after cancer treatment can be challenging due to the cancer itself, intense and complex treatment regimens, personal circumstances and long recovery times.

This report summarises the phase II project outcomes and lessons learnt. The target audience for the report is policymakers, health service managers, health professionals, cancer-related organisations, primary care organisations and interested consumers.