Both of these therapies can also further impair immunity, leading to serious infection development. Malnutrition associated with cancer undoubtedly has a negative prognostic effect and can contribute to death. It is the critical first step in developing a plan to maintain or improve the nutritional status of the cancer patient, as well as any other patient where nutritional status is a concern. Gathering and evaluating physical findings, diet history, anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests of the patient form a nutrition assessment. Physical signs, such as hair and skin appearance, can provide clues to a person's nutritional status.
Dietary evaluation is also a simple and effective tool for assessing a patient's nutritional state.
This is done by noting all the solids and liquids eaten by the patient in the past 24 hours, taking a history of dietary habits or noting food allergies and preferences. The term anthropometrics refers to physical measurements that indirectly assess body composition. These measurements estimate subcutaneous fat stores, energy reserves and skeletal muscle protein mass of the patient. While anthropometrics are used to measure and assess changes in gross body stature, laboratory tests help determine what is going on inside the body. Recent advances in nutrition have been helpful in managing the nutritional needs of cancer patients.