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Awareness, perceptions and practices regarding cancer-related malnutrition and sarcopenia: a survey of cancer clinicians

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Abstract

Purpose

Cancer-related malnutrition and sarcopenia have severe negative consequences including reduced survival and reduced ability to complete treatment. This study aimed to determine the awareness, perceptions and practices of Australian oncology clinicians regarding malnutrition and sarcopenia in people with cancer.

Methods

A national cross-sectional survey of Australian cancer clinicians was undertaken between November 2018 and January 2019. The 30-item online purpose-designed survey was circulated through professional organizations and health services.

Results

The 111 participants represented dietetic (38%), nursing (34%), medical (14%) and other allied health (14%) clinicians. Overall, 86% and 88% clinicians were aware of accepted definitions of malnutrition and sarcopenia, respectively. Perception of responsibility for identification of these conditions varied across participants, although 93% agreed this was a component of their role. However, 21% and 43% of clinicians had limited or no confidence in their ability to identify malnutrition and sarcopenia, respectively. Common barriers to the identification and management of malnutrition were access to the tools or skills required and a lack of services to manage malnourished patients. Common barriers to identification of sarcopenia were lack of confidence and lack of services to manage sarcopenic patients. Enablers for identification and management of malnutrition and sarcopenia were variable; however, training and protocols for management ranked highly.

Conclusion

While awareness of the importance of cancer-related malnutrition and sarcopenia are high, participants identified substantial barriers to delivering optimal nutrition care. Guidance at a national level is recommended to strengthen the approach to management of cancer-related malnutrition and sarcopenia.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia and Cancer Council Victoria for their distribution of the survey. We also acknowledge the clinicians who participated in the study. Dr. Kiss is supported by a Victorian Cancer Agency Nursing and Allied Health Clinical Research Fellowship.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia

    Nicole Kiss

  2. Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia

    Nicole Kiss

  3. School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia

    Judy Bauer & Teresa Brown

  4. Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia

    Anna Boltong

  5. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Anna Boltong

  6. Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia

    Teresa Brown

  7. Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Australia

    Liz Isenring

  8. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia

    Liz Isenring

  9. Nutrition and Speech Pathology Department, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia

    Jenelle Loeliger & Belinda Steer

  10. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia

    Merran Findlay

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  1. Nicole Kiss
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicole Kiss.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval was obtained from the Deakin University Health Ethics Advisory Group (Ref: 163_208_181116) prior to data collection. Informed consent was obtained through a participant information sheet in Qualtrics prior to commencing the survey.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Kiss, N., Bauer, J., Boltong, A. et al. Awareness, perceptions and practices regarding cancer-related malnutrition and sarcopenia: a survey of cancer clinicians. Support Care Cancer 28, 5263–5270 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05371-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05371-7

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