BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 3 February 2021 — The Medical Nutrition International Industry (MNI) and Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) welcome the publication of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan today and in particular the focus on building holistic treatment pathways delivered by multi-disciplinary care teams.
The plan published today includes measures which will contribute to improved quality of life, faster recovery and higher rate survival in cancer patients. The plan acknowledges in particular the importance of nutritional support, which is proven to help cancer patients cope better with illness and treatment.
MNI and SNE believe that nutritional care should be an integral part of cancer treatment and we will continue working with stakeholders to ensure this is translated in the implementation of the Action Plan.
Fernando Mateus, President of MNI highlights: ‘Cancer-related malnutrition often remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in current clinical practice. An overwhelming majority of cancer patients are not screened for nutritional status and do not receive information on nutritional interventions. We hope the Europe Beating Cancer Plan will be a turning point in the way we care for cancer-related malnutrition.’
Prof. Udo Herz, President of SNE adds: ‘1 in 3 cancer patients are malnourished: malnutrition in cancer patients leads inter alia to organ damage, immune system dysfunction and lean muscle loss. Cancer patients have a significantly increased risk of infections and complications, leading to diminished tolerability of chemotherapy, and impact on overall survival.’
The cancer Plan is a great step forward, but much remains to be done. MNI and SNE stand ready to work with the Cancer Plan Implementation Group to ensure that implementing measures will deliver holistic care pathways, including measures to address cancer-related malnutrition.
MNI
The Medical Nutrition International Industry (MNI) is the voice of the medical nutrition industry at international level. MNI gathers companies that offer specialised nutritional solutions and services designed to meet the diverse nutritional needs of patients. We strive to put nutrition at the heart of patient care and we aim at an environment that provides fair access to nutritional care throughout the world. MNI is dedicated to advancing better care through better nutrition, across all ages and healthcare settings. www.medicalnutritionindustry.com [1]
SNE
Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) is the voice of the specialised nutrition industry across Europe. SNE members are the national associations of 19 European countries including a majority of EU states and their members are the companies producing tailor-made dietary solutions for populations with very specific nutritional needs. These include infants and young children, patients under medical supervision, sportspeople, overweight and obese consumers, and those suffering from coeliac disease. www.specialisednutritioneurope.eu [2]
Links:
[1] http://www.medicalnutritionindustry.com
[2] http://www.specialisednutritioneurope.eu
[3] https://medicalnutritionindustry.com/