Oncology nurses are uniquely positioned to provide nutrition care throughout the trajectory of cancer treatment, ensuring that patients receive the support necessary to optimize clinical outcomes, according to a study published in Seminars in Oncology Nursing.

As primary points of contact, nurses are instrumental in recognizing nutrition-related challenges and coordinating interventions. Despite evidence highlighting the importance of nutrition in oncology, its implementation remains inconsistent, leading to disparities in care. By integrating nutrition management into routine oncology practice, nurses can address malnutrition proactively, enhancing both treatment adherence and overall quality of life.

The role of nutrition in cancer care is well-documented, with studies showing that up to 87% of patients with gastrointestinal tumors and 31% of those with non-solid tumors experience weight loss before initiating chemotherapy. Even a 2.4% reduction in body weight has been identified as an independent prognostic factor for survival. Malnutrition negatively impacts tolerance to therapy, increases complications, and contributes to cancer cachexia and sarcopenia. Given these risks, early detection and intervention are critical to mitigating adverse effects.

Multidisciplinary teams are essential in delivering comprehensive cancer care, yet access to dietitians remains limited in many oncology settings. Oncology nurses, with their expertise in patient-centered care, are ideally suited to bridge this gap. They are responsible for performing nutrition screenings, initiating early interventions, and collaborating with dietitians and physicians to tailor nutritional strategies to individual patient needs. Their role extends to the administration of oral nutrition supplements and enteral or parenteral nutrition when necessary, ensuring patients receive the appropriate level of support.

Beyond clinical management, oncology nurses play a pivotal role in patient education, empowering patients and their caregivers to make informed dietary choices. Nutrition is not solely a biological necessity but a fundamental component of well-being, affecting mental health, social interactions, and treatment adherence. By integrating evidence-based dietary recommendations into patient care, nurses help prevent misinformation and the adoption of potentially harmful dietary practices.

As frontline providers, oncology nurses also ensure that patients’ nutrition-related concerns are addressed promptly, often identifying issues before they escalate. Their training enables them to recognize symptoms such as dysgeusia, dysphagia, and gastrointestinal discomfort, which can contribute to inadequate nutrient intake and weight loss. Through continuous monitoring and intervention, nurses support patients in maintaining nutritional status, ultimately improving their resilience against treatment-related side effects.

Strengthening the role of oncology nurses in nutrition care is vital to achieving equitable access to high-quality oncology care. By reinforcing collaboration between nurses, dietitians, and physicians, healthcare systems can improve patient outcomes and uphold the fundamental right to adequate nutrition. 

Expanding educational opportunities for nurses in nutrition support, alongside policy initiatives to integrate nutrition into standard oncology protocols, will be key to addressing current gaps and ensuring comprehensive, patient-centered cancer care.

“As cancer nurses are key members of the current usual care teams, they are ideally placed to lead such changes and should, therefore, be empowered and encouraged to take on this challenge,” concluded the authors.

Disclosures: Some authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of disclosures.