\nWe have increasing evidence showing that nutritional status is a determining factor in the course of cancer patients.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
It not only influences treatment tolerance and quality of life, but in some tumors it has also been linked to prognosis. In addition, we now know that it is not only weight that matters, but body composition\u2014especially the role of muscle mass. <\/p>\n\n
Oncology research is beginning to focus on how this body composition can influence clinical outcomes and the development of toxicities. This opens up a vast field of action in which nutrition plays a leading role. <\/p>\n\n
How does nutritional status affect tolerance to treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy?<\/h3>\n\n Current evidence shows that patients with better nutritional status and greater muscle mass\u2014especially high-quality muscle mass\u2014tolerate cancer treatments better.<\/p>\n\n
Better treatment tolerance means being able to maintain planned doses, avoid delays, and reduce complications\u2014factors that can directly impact treatment outcomes.<\/p>\n\n
In addition, nutrition makes it possible to adapt dietary guidelines to the patient\u2019s symptoms, helping to manage side effects such as gastrointestinal changes or mucositis, which improves both treatment tolerance and quality of life.<\/p>\n\n
What are the main nutritional challenges faced by cancer patients?<\/h3>\n\n The first<\/strong>, and very significant, is misinformation<\/strong>. When a person receives a cancer diagnosis, they need answers and need to feel they can do something. They often look for information about diet and physical exercise (two areas we know influence well-being), but they encounter contradictory or alarmist messages. This generates fear and anxiety and, frequently, very severe dietary restrictions with no scientific basis that end up worsening their nutritional status and quality of life. <\/p>\n\nThe second<\/strong> major challenge is malnutrition due to cancer-associated cachexia, which is a much more complex condition. In these cases, we are no longer talking only about \u201ceating more,\u201d but about a metabolic and functional problem that can progress quickly. That is why the key goal is to prevent and detect it early, so we can intervene before nutritional and functional deterioration becomes difficult to reverse. <\/p>\n\nWhat common mistakes or myths do you see about diet and cancer?<\/h3>\n\n One of the most common myths is the fear of sugar<\/strong>, which often turns into fear of all carbohydrates<\/strong>. It is important to clarify: added sugars and ultra-processed products should be limited, but many patients go to the extreme of eliminating foods that are nutritionally valuable, such as legumes, whole grains, or tubers. And this can worsen weight and muscle mass loss. <\/p>\n\nAnother recurring topic is doubts about certain specific foods, such as soy or gluten, but in consultations the most common pattern is still excessive and poorly justified restrictions.<\/p>\n\n
In most cases, the priority is not to ban foods, but to optimize body composition<\/strong> and follow a diet with high nutritional value.<\/p>\n\nWhy is it essential for nutritional therapy to be personalized in oncology?<\/h3>\n\n\nIn oncology, there is no single \u201cone-size-fits-all diet.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Not all tumors are the same, not all treatments have the same effects, and people come to the disease with different habits, cultures, preferences, and life contexts.<\/p>\n\n
Personalizing means adjusting the nutritional strategy to the type of tumor, stage, treatment, and clinical situation, but also to the person\u2014because food is health\u2026 and it is also social life and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHow do you adapt nutritional intervention to the different phases of the cancer journey?<\/h3>\n\n\nNutritional intervention must be dynamic, because needs change throughout the process.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
The period before surgery is not the same as the postoperative period, nor is a phase of active treatment the same as a recovery phase. Very often, guidelines change throughout the process: certain foods are prioritized or adapted at a specific time, and later reintroduced. <\/p>\n\n
That is why guidelines evolve with the disease and with the patient\u2019s clinical situation.<\/p>\n\n
Which oncology nutrition research projects are you currently collaborating on?<\/h3>\n\n I am currently involved in several lines of research focused on how nutrition can improve cancer patient care.<\/strong><\/p>\n\nOne of the main ones is studying how body composition\u2014the distribution of muscle mass and fat mass\u2014can influence treatment tolerance, quality of life, and survival, especially in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. We believe that preventing malnutrition and optimizing muscle mass can make important clinical differences. <\/p>\n\n
We are also driving research into cachexia: we want to identify markers that allow us to predict which patients are at higher risk of accelerated nutritional and functional deterioration. The goal is to anticipate it and be able to propose a multimodal approach: personalized nutrition, physical exercise, and, when available, effective pharmacological treatment. <\/p>\n\n
In addition, we are exploring prevention strategies and risk factors, with a particular interest in the increase in digestive tumors in young patients, where lifestyle habits and environmental factors likely converge.<\/p>\n\n
And, closely linked to all of this, we are participating in projects on the gut microbiota, including international collaborations, to understand its role both in oncogenesis and in response to treatments.<\/p>\n\n
Which recent advances in oncology nutrition research do you find most promising?<\/h3>\n\n I find the progress in body composition as a biomarker<\/strong> especially promising. Not only assessing \u201cweight,\u201d but understanding the quality and quantity of muscle and fat mass, and how this relates to toxicity, tolerance, quality of life, and oncology outcomes. <\/p>\n\nIn the medium term, one of the most interesting horizons would be to better personalize the therapeutic strategy<\/strong> by taking these parameters into account, and even move toward more precise treatment adjustments. Today, doses are usually calculated by body surface area, but research opens the door to incorporating more physiological measures in the future, such as muscle mass, to optimize tolerance without compromising efficacy. It is not yet routine clinical practice\u2014the evidence is still limited and in many cases pilot\u2014but it is a line with enormous translational potential. <\/p>\n\nWhat is the relationship between the gut microbiota and cancer?<\/h3>\n\nThe gut microbiota is a developing field<\/h3>\n\n , but there is increasing evidence of its role in the cancer process. Associations have been described between certain microorganisms and the development and prognosis of some tumors, as occurs in rectal cancer with Fusobacterium nucleatum<\/em>. <\/p>\n\nIn addition, the microbiota influences the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and the inflammatory balance, which is especially relevant in digestive tumors, where diet and gut bacteria are in direct contact with the epithelium. Understanding this relationship opens new avenues in prevention, in nutritional support during treatment, and in identifying potential therapeutic targets, although much remains to be investigated. <\/p>\n\n
How can nutrition modulate the microbiota in cancer patients?<\/h3>\n\n Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools for modulating the microbiota. In consultations, the goal is to promote a healthier intestinal environment, always adapted to the patient\u2019s tolerance. <\/p>\n\n
We prioritize dietary sources that provide beneficial microorganisms, such as fermented foods<\/strong> (yogurt, kefir, etc.), and, whenever possible, we work to maintain or restore fiber<\/strong> intake through foods rich in prebiotics, because that fiber acts as \u201cfood\u201d for beneficial bacteria.<\/p>\n\nAll of this can contribute to a more balanced and potentially less inflammatory intestinal microenvironment, which is especially valuable in patients with digestive symptoms or undergoing treatments that affect the intestinal mucosa.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWhat impact does obesity have on the development and prognosis of cancer?<\/h3>\n\n Obesity is a recognized risk factor for the development of several types of cancer and can also influence prognosis. However, in oncology it is not enough to assess weight or BMI, as they do not distinguish between fat mass and muscle mass. <\/p>\n\n
Many patients have sarcopenic obesity<\/strong>: excess body fat with low muscle mass, a situation associated with poorer tolerance to treatments and worse clinical outcomes. That is why it is increasingly important to focus on body composition<\/strong> to understand the patient\u2019s true status and intervene more precisely. <\/p>\n\nWhat challenges do you foresee for the future of oncology nutrition and cancer research?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\nThe major challenge is that nutrition is still not systematically integrated into routine clinical practice in oncology.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
Many departments do not have an oncology nutritionist as part of the team, and that limits both clinical care and the development of research projects.<\/p>\n\n
I believe it is essential for the nutrition professional specialized in oncology to be part of the clinical team, because only then can they fully understand the type of tumor, treatment, stage, and clinical situation in order to design truly effective interventions.<\/p>\n\n
At the same time, we need more well-designed studies that demonstrate an impact on quality of life, tolerance, and clinical outcomes. That evidence is what will make it possible to consolidate nutrition as a pillar of treatment and justify its broad and structured implementation. <\/p>\n\n
Who is Adriana Alcaraz Soler, and how did your vocation for oncology nutrition begin?<\/h2>\n\n I define myself as a cheerful, optimistic person, deeply passionate about life and science. I have always been fascinated by the human body and how scientific knowledge can transform people\u2019s lives. <\/p>\n\n
I come from a family of doctors, where health and medicine have always been part of everyday conversations. I am the first nutritionist in the family; I decided to study nutrition because I saw it as the perfect balance between medicine and lifestyle. I sensed it was a field with a great deal of potential ahead and where I could provide real, distinctive value. <\/p>\n\n
In addition, I have an entrepreneurial spirit and felt that nutrition, especially in the clinical context, offered a space where there was still a lot to build. Over time, I confirmed that I was not mistaken. <\/p>\n\n
What led you to specialize specifically in nutritional support for people with cancer?<\/h3>\n\n I was very clear about it from my degree. The first time I studied the pathophysiology of cancer and the impact of treatments on the body, I understood that nutrition was a fundamental pillar for these patients. <\/p>\n\n
But it was during my first clinical rotation, precisely on the medical oncology ward, when I truly confirmed it. By speaking with patients and listening to their concerns, I understood that there was an enormous need that was still insufficiently addressed. I saw that nutrition could offer much more than dietary guidelines: it could improve treatment tolerance, quality of life, and patient empowerment. <\/p>\n\n
In addition, it is a field in which there is still so much to research, understand, and apply in clinical practice<\/strong>, which makes it a fascinating area.<\/p>\n\nAt FERO, we turn your support into research for a future without cancer.<\/h2>\n\nEvery donation adds hours of work in the laboratory and brings us closer to saving more lives.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Oncology nutrition and comprehensive care Supporting through nutrition: research and comprehensive cancer care with Adriana Alcaraz Soler We are introducing a new format on our blog: interviews with experts in oncology and cancer research. In these talks, specialists share their knowledge and tell us about the latest advances in cancer research and treatment, offering useful […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"Oncology nutrition and comprehensive care","_seopress_titles_desc":"Discover how oncology nutrition improves treatment tolerance and quality of life for cancer patients, with expert Adriana Alcaraz.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[97,126],"tags":[119],"class_list":["post-9217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-outreach-and-prevention","category-scientific-talks","tag-oncology-nutrition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9217","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9217"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9217\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9219,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9217\/revisions\/9219"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ferocancer.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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