In the newly released guidelines for the diagnosis and nutritional treatment of cancer patients, the Ministry of Health emphasizes that nutrition is an integral part of the treatment process. Nutritional intervention should be individualized for each patient, starting from the time of diagnosis and continuing throughout the treatment course.

The Ministry of Health recommends that cancer patients consume 25-30 kcal/kg body weight per day. The minimum protein intake is 1,2 g/kg daily; in cases of severe malnutrition or significant muscle mass loss, this can be increased to 1,5 g/kg daily.

Fats should constitute less than 30% of the total dietary energy, prioritizing unsaturated fats and limiting saturated and trans fats. Vitamins and minerals should be supplemented according to recommended daily allowances for healthy individuals; high doses should only be used with specific evidence of deficiency and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Notably, the Ministry of Health advises against energy-poor diets, including the keto diet, for cancer patients. There is currently no scientific evidence proving these diets improve treatment effectiveness; instead, they may increase the risk of malnutrition, especially for patients with weakened physical conditions.

A chemotherapy doctor treating a cancer patient at Hospital of Oncology Ho Chi Minh City, facility 2. *Photo: Quynh Tran*

Cancer is a leading cause of death globally and in Vietnam. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the disease claimed approximately 10 million lives in 2022. New cases continue to rise due to population aging, urbanization, and risk factors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity.

Advances in surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have significantly improved survival rates. However, these methods also cause numerous side effects on the digestive system, reducing food intake, increasing metabolic demands, and leading to malnutrition and cachexia.

According to the Ministry of Health, the relationship between cancer and nutrition is bidirectional. The tumor itself and the treatment process can cause malnutrition, while nutritional status directly impacts treatment response, tolerance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and the patient's prognosis. The prevalence of malnutrition in cancer patients can be as high as 80%, depending on the type of cancer, disease stage, and treatment method. This condition is particularly common in individuals with gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary-pancreatic, and head and neck cancers.

Therefore, the new guidelines mandate malnutrition risk screening and nutritional status assessment immediately upon diagnosis. Patients at risk or already suffering from malnutrition require a comprehensive evaluation of weight, BMI, weight loss, muscle mass, dietary intake, and relevant paraclinical indicators to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

The Ministry of Health believes that early detection of malnutrition risk, timely intervention, and close coordination between treating physicians and nutritionists will enhance treatment effectiveness, reduce complications, and improve the quality of life and long-term prognosis for cancer patients.

Le Nga