Nutrition Therapy for People Living with Cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Authors: Al-Jawaldeh Ayoub , Taktouk Mandy , Hammerich Asmus , Aldayel Faisal Abdulghafar , Troisi Giuseppe , Al-Jawaldeh Hanin , Aguenaou Hassan , Alsawahli Heba , Fadhil Ibtihal , Elati Jalila , Azar Jihan , Mahmoud Lamia , Barbar Maha , Alkhalaf Majid Mqbel , Gafer Nahla , Alghaith Taghreed Mohammed , Mahdi Zaynab 
Published: September 2024

Cancer is a complex disease stemming from multiple interactions between genes and the environment, and is regarded as a primary contributor to global mortality. It is a condition in which the irregular and uncontrolled growth and proliferation of certain cells interferes with normal tissue function and has the potential to spread throughout the body. While the most prevalent types of cancer among children are those related to the blood (leukemia - i.e. cancer in the white blood cells (WBC) in the bone marrow), brain and bones, among adults, cancers pertinent to the epithelial tissues are more prevalent. Even though the proposed etiology of cancer is multifactorial, the most commonly known risk factors are genetics (age), physical carcinogens (radiation – ultraviolet and ionizing), chemical carcinogens (unhealthy diet, alcohol consumption, smoking and tobacco use, chemical exposures, plastic containers and storage methods), biological carcinogens (infections, hormones, reduced immunity) and other factors (overweight and obesity, sedentary lifestyle, stress).The 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study has reported that the total number of cancer deathsglobally attributable to all estimated risk factors was 4.45 million, accounting for 44.4% of all cancerdeaths. According to the International Agency for Research (IARC), by 2022, the estimated numberof new cancer cases was approximately 20 million, with 9.7 million death cases. It is also projectedthat the annual number of new cancer cases will increase to 33.1 million with a corresponding rise incancer-related deaths to 18.2 million by 2050. As for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), thesituation is similar to the global situation, whereby 781,000 new cases of cancer were reported andcancer accounted for approximately 485,000 deaths in 2022. By 2050, the number of new cases anddeaths is projected to reach 1.77 and 1.21 million, respectively.Successful prevention and management of cancer can benefit from proper identification of the individual’s nutritional status and health condition in order to offer individualized treatment, if needed, and to ensure the provision of their needs. This involves mastering the four steps of the nutrition care process: nutritional assessment, nutritional diagnosis, nutritional intervention and consequently monitoring and evaluation; which are discussed in depth throughout the guide.This guide is intended to serve as a resource for policymakers, healthcare professionals and individuals looking to reduce their risk of cancer or improve treatment outcomes if diagnosed. It also sheds light on the need to develop and incorporate nutritional aspects into national cancer control strategies and plans in countries of the EMR despite the potential challenges being faced in the region.Finally, the guide discusses the most common types of cancer (breast, colorectal, esophageal, gastric,head and neck, hematological, liver, lung, pancreatic and small intestine) by providing a brief overview on their common symptoms and side effects, and adequate dietary intervention.