SNE and MNI welcome the multi-disciplinary approach proposed under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 3 February 2021 — Specialised Nutrition Europe (SNE) and Medical Nutrition Industry (MNI) 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.

SNE and MNI 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.

• SNE and MNI welcome the Cancer Plan‘s approach to build a qualified healthcare workforce. Awareness about cancer-related malnutrition is low among healthcare professionals and patients.  Actions envisaged in the Plan, such as the ‘Inter-specialty cancer training programme’, should include training of healthcare professionals as well education on nutritional interventions for medical students.
• SNE and MNI fully support the Cancer Plan’s emphasis on a multidisciplinary workforce and call for more dietitians/nutritionist in oncology wards. The EU Network linking recognised National Comprehensive Cancer Centres should also include nutritionists and dieticians to ensure patients’ access to nutritional care.

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 is 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. SNE and MNI 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.

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

 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

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For more information, please contact:

Alina Moglan at SNE

Paulina Santiago at MNI