The Role of the Dietitian Throughout the Cancer Continuum: Having the Difficult Conversations

Nutrition is crucial during every step of the cancer journey. What people eat matters for cancer prevention, helps improve clinical outcomes during treatment, and is an empowering aspect of survivorship. But what about when the cancer journey is ending? The need for nutrition interventions and ethical management is paramount during this phase; however, there is little research or standardization of process to help dietitians provide informed medical nutrition therapy and ethically-sensitive interventions.

This presentation discusses the involvement of nutrition across the cancer continuum and will highlight the role of the registered dietitian nutritionist as part of the palliative care team. Participants learn about the newly formed Ethical Feeding Task Force comprised at Fox Chase Cancer Center – a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center research facility and hospital located in Philadelphia, Pa. – and their goal to create a standardized tool to determine when artificial nutrition is warranted at the end of life. Discussion on this pilot project and presented case studies will not only help dietitians lean into an area that many shy away from, but will galvanize dietitians to become an integral piece of palliative care discussions.

CPE Level: Level 3 (advanced knowledge/expertise)
CPEU: 1.0

Performance Indicators

• 1.3.1 Recognizes actual or potential ethical issues and dilemmas encountered in practice.
• 10.3.1 Establishes goals and desired outcomes in collaboration with clients/patients.
• 4.2.8 Evaluates the effectiveness of plans and decisions and make adjustments when needed.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the impact of nutrition interventions during cancer treatment.
• Describe importance features of nutrition in survivorship.
• Outline ethical feeding options at the end of life.

Moderator

• Andrea Barnes

Speakers

• Kara Stromberg
• Jaylin Kellogg