ON's Virtual Symposium "Cancer Nutrition: Addressing the Challenges of Modern Care" was live on April 24, 2025. Sessions help to advance practice in the following areas: malnutrition, obesity and sarcopenia, quality of life, virtual NFPE, lymphedema management, supplement guidelines & more!

"Introductory Remarks & Preparing for the Perfect Storm: Obesity, Malnutrition, and Sarcopenia"

Rising cancer rates in younger adults are concurrent with increasing incidence of obesity, malnutrition, and sarcopenia in the same age demographic. Low muscle mass due to yo-yo dieting, side effects of anti-obesity medications, and sedentary lifestyles, adiposity-related diseases, and malnutrition create the perfect storm for negative clinical outcomes and poor health-related quality of life during and following cancer treatment. The role of the RDN and nutrition-related consequences of sarcopenic obesity, sarcopenic dysphagia, and osteosarcopenia will be discussed in the context of the oncology patient. Current recommendations to attenuate low muscle mass, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis before, during, and following cancer treatment will be discussed.

"Merging Interdisciplinary Silos: Improving Head and Neck Cancer Survivors' QOL + Exploring Oncology Case Studies in Refeeding Syndrome for Home Enteral Nutrition"

Merging Interdisciplinary Silos: Improving Head and Neck Cancer Survivors' QOL - This session will examine unmet supportive care needs of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors and explore opportunities for improved care through interprofessional collaboration. HNC survivors experience significant disruption to daily life in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains. Despite the need for supportive care services, there remain considerable service gaps and silos. Referrals are often delayed or absent, leading HNC survivors to look elsewhere. Timely intervention for dysphagia and malnutrition is lacking. Additionally, pain, weakness, fatigue, lymphedema, and neck and shoulder dysfunction remain poorly managed in the HNC population. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) and RDNs are uniquely qualified to address these unmet needs and will enhance patient outcomes by building a closer interprofessional relationship. The presentation will inform RDNs of a HNC survivor's experience and barriers to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial well-being, the roles of OTPs and RDNs in enhancing the quality of life and well-being, and evidence-based strategies for improving interprofessional collaboration.

Exploring Oncology Case Studies in Refeeding Syndrome for Home Enteral Nutrition Refeeding syndrome is a serious condition that can occur when malnourished patients begin receiving nutrition. Starting enteral nutrition in oncology patients presents significant challenges, such as electrolyte imbalances and metabolic disturbances that may arise beyond the usual monitoring period. Managing this complex and often under-recognized issue requires effective communication within the interdisciplinary team. This session will cover effective risk screening, monitoring, and communication strategies to implement nutrition plans and minimize refeeding syndrome in this vulnerable population.

"NFPE and Enhancing Oncology Patient Care + Telehealth Oncology as a Supportive Service and Ally for Cancer-Specialized Dietitians and Patients"

NFPE and Enhancing Oncology Patient Care - Identifying malnutrition is important in oncology care to ensure timely interventions that prevent or reduce negative outcomes and improve patient care. This presentation will provide an overview of malnutrition and discuss the components of the nutrition-focused physical exam (NFPE) that are essential when evaluating for malnutrition. We will discuss the challenges faced with performing NFPE in the oncology population and offer strategies to overcome these barriers effectively. Additionally, this session will review telehealth and the role of NFPE.

Telehealth Oncology as a Supportive Service and Ally for Cancer-Specialized Dietitians and Patients - Join us for an interactive session where we'll dive into six innovative ways oncology telehealth is reshaping the future of patient care—benefiting those with cancer and oncology dietitians. We'll explore key elements of virtual nutrition care and their practical applications, including malnutrition screening, creating personalized care plans, utilizing electronic patient-reported outcomes, and enhancing care coordination. You'll gain actionable insights on how telehealth services can streamline oncology nutrition practice and support patients in managing cancer-specific nutrition needs, alleviating symptoms, and navigating survivorship. We'll also address one challenge of delivering virtual care and welcome your questions and experiences in a panel discussion.

"Nutraceuticals for Cancer Prevention & Survival"

Neutraceuticals are a huge industry and an area that we are are learning more each day. Can we get therapeutic amounts of these neutraceuticals in our food? If we are considering supplements, are they safe? Which form(s) provide the greatest bioavailability? This session will briefly discuss the nutraceutical industry from a regulatory and economic perspective. We will then dive into five nutraceuticals used in oncology practice - omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, curcumin, sulforaphane, and green tea/EGCG. Research will be highlighted specific to cancer treatments as well as their mechanisms of action and effects on molecular profiles. Safety and dosage to be discussed on all five of the nutraceuticals presented. Using evidence-based research, we will provide practical information that you can use to apply in your daily practice.

"Breast Cancer Food & Fitness: A Framework for Oncology Dietitians + Navigating Nutrition to Improve Lymphedema"

Oncology dietitians are uniquely trained to provide expert guidance and support to their patient and survivor populations, yet resources to help them address topics such as obesity, weight gain, disordered eating and recurrence fear in the breast cancer community are scarce. This presentation will describe the relationship between weight gain, obesity, and breast cancer, illustrate the benefits of exercise both during and after breast cancer treatment, and discuss the prevalence and role of disordered eating and food fear that often accompany a breast cancer diagnosis. Presentation will offer a framework for supporting breast cancer patients and survivors struggling with these challenges. Navigating Nutrition to Improve Lymphedema In this targeted session, you will be taught the 3 main functions of the lymphatic system and the top 5 nutrition strategies to help those living with lymphedema. You'll also hear from some patients themselves as they share in their own words how lymphedema after cancer treatment has impacted them.