Webinars

Understanding Cancer Cachexia: Integrating Nutrition into Comprehensive Management

How can nutrition be integrated into the comprehensive management of cancer cachexia?

Presenter(s): Jose M Garcia, MD, PhD; Carla Prado, PhD, RD, FCAHS

Moderator: Jillian Hyttenhove, MA, RD, CSOWM, LD, CHES

Date: 22 September 2026

Time: 2-4 PM ET

Location: Live webinar

Continuing Education Credits: Nurse Contact 2.0 CE; Dietitian 2.0 CPEU

Summary:

In this webinar, Jose M Garcia, MD, PhD, and Carla Prado, PhD, RD, FCAHS, will explore the critical role of nutrition in managing cancer cachexia. They will also discuss the clinical features and underlying mechanisms of cachexia; highlight the impact of malnutrition and muscle loss in oncology; and review evidence-based nutrition strategies to support patient care.

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the pathophysiology and clinical features of cancer cachexia. 
  • Describe the prevalence and clinical impact of malnutrition and muscle loss in oncology. 
  • Discuss evidence-based nutrition interventions for malnutrition and cancer cachexia.
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Understanding Cancer Cachexia: Integrating Nutrition into Comprehensive Management

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Key Takeaways:

  • Cancer cachexia is characterized by distinct pathophysiologic and clinical features that healthcare professionals should recognize. 
  • Malnutrition and muscle loss are prevalent concerns in oncology and can have important clinical consequences. 
  • Nutrition assessment and intervention are important components of comprehensive cancer care. 
  • Evidence-based nutrition strategies may help address malnutrition and cachexia in individuals with cancer.

Related Questions:

  • Why is muscle loss important in oncology care?
    Muscle loss can contribute to reduced physical function, diminished nutritional status, and greater clinical burden among individuals with cancer. Monitoring body composition and nutritional risk can help identify patients who may benefit from nutrition intervention.
  • What role does nutrition play in the management of cancer cachexia?
    Nutrition is a key component of comprehensive care for patients experiencing cancer-related malnutrition and cachexia. Evidence-based nutrition interventions may support overall nutritional management when incorporated into a multidisciplinary treatment approach.
  • Why is it important to identify malnutrition early in patients with cancer?
    Early recognition of malnutrition may help healthcare professionals assess risk, monitor nutritional decline, and implement appropriate nutrition strategies. Timely intervention can support comprehensive patient management throughout the cancer care continuum.

Presenter Bio(s):

Carla Prado, PhD, RD, FCAHS

Distinguished University Professor
Research Chair, Integrative Nutrition, Body Composition & Energy Metabolism
Director, Human Nutrition Research Unit
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB, CA

Dr Carla Prado is a Distinguished University Professor and a Canada Research Chair in Integrative Nutrition, Body Composition, and Energy Metabolism (Tier 1). She is also a registered dietitian. She directs the Human Nutrition Research Unit, recognized as one of the world’s leading research and training facilities for body composition and energy metabolism assessments.

Dr Prado's research focuses on assessing nutritional status through precise measurements of body composition and energy metabolism. Her current research program investigates the prevalence and health outcomes of abnormal body composition phenotypes in patients with diverse chronic conditions. She is also developing targeted nutrition interventions to optimize body composition and improve health outcomes.

Dr Prado is an Associate Editor for two of the top journals in her field, serves on several international clinical guideline committees, and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences as well as a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. She was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, and a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate™ (Web of Science), a recognition placing her among the top 1% of researchers globally for her significant and broad influence in the field.

 

Jose M Garcia, MD, PhD

Professor, Department of Medicine 
Division of Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine 
University of Washington School of Medicine 
Seattle, WA, USA

Dr Jose M Garcia, MD, PhD, is a Physician-Scientist at the Puget Sound VA Health Care System and a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA, USA. He is also the Director of the Clinical Research Unit and the Director of the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center at the Puget Sound VA Health Care System. His current research focuses on the role of ghrelin, androgens, and other anabolic pathways in different wasting conditions, including sarcopenia of aging and cancer cachexia. His basic laboratory is focused on understanding the molecular underpinnings of muscle wasting, fat atrophy, and anorexia in these settings, and on developing novel targets for these conditions. His group also participates in several human trials in patients with cancer, aiming to characterize the pathways involved, identify the mechanisms of action of different potential therapies, and test them in multicenter trials. He also serves as the President of the Cancer Cachexia Society.

Jillian Hyttenhove, MA, RD, CSOWM, LD, CHES

Medical Science Liaison
Medical Affairs & Research
Abbott Nutrition
Columbus, OH, USA

Jillian Hyttenhove is a Medical Science Liaison at Abbott Nutrition. Prior to joining Abbott, she worked in corporate wellness for several large national and global companies.

Jillian completed her bachelor’s degree in Dietetics at Bowling Green State University and her dietetic internship at East Carolina University. She went on to complete her Master of Arts in Health Education at East Carolina University as well. Following the completion of her dietetic internship, she served as the lead outpatient dietitian for all outpatient services at a community hospital in North Carolina. She then collaborated with a lead obesity specialist to create a comprehensive weight management program at the University of North Carolina, where she also served as a research dietitian on clinical trials.

Jillian is a Registered Dietitian, a Board-Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management, and a Board-Certified Specialist in Health Education.

Category
CE CPEU Adult Disease State