News Release

Moffitt researcher publishes book on nutritional management of cancer treatment effects

Resource aims to improve survivorship and quality of life during treatment

Book Announcement

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute

Nagi B. Kumar, Ph.D., R.D., F.A.D.A., a senior member and director of Cancer Chemoprevention at Moffitt Cancer Center, is the author of a landmark book Nutritional Management of Cancer Treatment Effects, published by Springer International (2012).

The book provides up-to-date information on novel nutritional approaches and strategies for individual symptoms related to cancer treatment and how nutritional approaches may be used to alleviate them.

"While the benefits of modern cancer treatments are becoming ever more evident, many cancer patients continue to be at risk for developing negative physiological and psychological treatment effects that could be benefited by targeted nutritional interventions," Kumar said. "Cancer and cancer treatment effects can be particularly problematic and last long after patients have completed treatment."

According to Kumar, targeted nutritional strategies can prevent and alleviate a number of treatment side effects, including cognitive impairment, fatigue, dysphagia, osteoporosis and other critical symptoms. The guidance provided will help to improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients, and has the potential to dramatically affect how evidence-based clinical practice is established and improved over the coming decade.

The author is a distinguished expert in the field who has more than 25 years of experience in oncology nutrition and has been involved in establishing and implementing a Clinical Nutrition Oncology Program. The benefit of the author's experience in establishing and implementing clinical oncology nutrition programs is laid out in the book's four parts.

The four parts include:

  • Introduction - Need for strategies to improve patient outcomes and quality of life; an overview of current treatments and symptoms; systematic, proactive nutritional approaches to specific symptoms related to cancer treatments
  • Screening, assessment and re-assessment of the cancer patient - Tools and variables for assessment; nutritional deficits; nutrition planning; nutrition care and follow-up
  • Physiological and psychological symptoms of the cancer patient - Anorexia; muscositis; dysphagia; radiation enteritis; diarrhea; nausea and vomiting; depression; anxiety; fatigue; spontaneous menopause; cognitive impairment; and pain
  • Concluding remarks - Summary of future directions in symptom management research

"Despite the importance of nutrition in ameliorating the symptoms of cancer treatment, publications providing this up-to-date information and strategies have been lacking," Kumar said. "My hope is that this book will ultimately help practitioners, as well as patients, better cope with the symptoms of treatment and improve their quality of life."

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Located in Tampa, Moffitt Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, which recognizes Moffitt's excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country's leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer.

Media release by Florida Science Communications


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