Elderly Cancer Patients Need Screening for Malnutrition

Elderly Cancer Patients Need Screening for Malnutrition

Evidence links malnutrition to worse clinical outcomes in elderly cancer patients. Examples include: increased hospital stays; a longer duration of convalescence; a reduced quality of life; and increased morbidity and mortality. (Clinical Nutrition Journal, 2008; European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007)

Nutrition is important in elderly cancer patients, yet many oncologists neglect this aspect of treatment. Data suggest that up to 56% of geriatric patients are malnourished, with 20-80% of cancer patients at severe nutritional risk.

The guidelines for screening the elderly cancer patient includes height, weight, body mass index, tracking of weight loss.

At my clinic: every patient with cancer, elderly or not undergoes the above-mentioned screenings, and more. Through blood work, I measure nutritional status of vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, minerals, and oxidative stress markers. With the help of a bio-impedance analysis, I can measure the patient’s caloric expenditure and use that to prescribe a customized diet plan, to help the patient who has experienced weight loss or needs to simply maintain their weight. Certain dietary supplements and medical foods are also prescribed if warranted.