Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Presentation Abstract
Attaining Consistency in the Use of Nutrition Related Terminology
The goals of this P2P Workshop are to consider the evidence for nutrition screening and intervention during the cancer continuum for improved outcomes and to identify the gaps and need for future research. To complete this task, associated terms need to be defined and used consistently, accurately, and reliably in all discussions of the evidence. One of the major limitations to the evidence thus far is the inappropriate application and lack of consistency in the use of terminology to describe the nutritional status of cancer patients. The goal of this presentation is to discuss terms that have operational definitions determined through evidence, consensus and/or expert opinion. Specifically, this presentation will review terms relevant 1) to cancer related malnutrition, sarcopenia and cachexia, 2) to nutrition screening, assessment and intervention, and 3)to patient outcomes including nutritional status changes, quality of life, survival, and other clinical outcomes. Resources for this presentation will be the peer-reviewed literature and practice guidelines from professional societies. Caveats and limitations of definitions will be discussed, and summary points for future work will be provided.
About Dr. Platek
Dr. Mary Platek is an Adjunct Research Professor in Radiation Medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and an Associate Professor of Nutrition at D’Youville University in Buffalo, NY. She has a secondary appointment as a Research Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at the University at Buffalo. Prior to her research career, Dr. Platek completed a B.S. and accredited training for the Registered Dietitian credential and has an extensive career working with diverse patients, including those with cancer. She received her M.S. in nutrition science followed by a Ph.D. in epidemiology and community health from the University at Buffalo, and between 2008 and 2011, completed an NCI fellowship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research centers on the prevention and management of cancer-related malnutrition, sarcopenia, and cachexia among head and neck cancer patients, with a concentration on multidisciplinary care to minimize treatment toxicity and improve quality of life throughout survivorship. Currently, she is working on efforts to understand the relationship between changes in body composition, nutritional status, and clinical outcomes of patients before, during, and after radiation treatment, and has developed a large database (approximately 2,000 patients) characterizing head and neck cancer patients (tumor, treatment, nutritional status, and outcomes). Dr. Platek actively participates on expert panels such as the American Cancer Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, in writing nutrition and exercise guidelines for cancer survivors.
Dr. Platek did not disclose any conflicts of interest for this workshop.