Exploring awareness, perceptions, and practices relating to nutritional status and low muscle mass in patients with ovarian cancer

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PURPOSE: Women with ovarian cancer are at high risk of malnutrition and muscle loss due to advanced-stage diagnosis and treatment toxicities. Evidence-based guidelines recommend screening for malnutrition and sarcopenia to prevent associated adverse consequences, including reduced survival. This study aimed to describe awareness and perceptions of nutrition-related issues and practices in ovarian cancer among Australian healthcare professionals. METHODS: A national survey was completed between November 2023 and March 2024. The 24-item survey evaluated awareness and perceptions of nutrition-related issues, screening and referral practices for malnutrition and sarcopenia at specific timepoints (from diagnosis, during, and/or post-treatment) and barriers to nutrition care in ovarian cancer. RESULTS: Professionals (n = 57) were predominantly nurses (39%), dietitians (23%), or surgeons (19%). The most reported nutrition-related issues at diagnosis were weight loss (67%), overweight/obesity (54%), and sarcopenia (44%). During treatment, weight loss (70%) and sarcopenia (65%) were prominent, while post-treatment, weight gain (46%) and sarcopenia (39%) were most reported. The perceived clinical importance of malnutrition and sarcopenia varied according to professional discipline. Professionals identified chemotherapy as the treatment with the highest nutrition risk (97%), and 75% reported observing self-initiated dietary changes during treatment, yet 18% indicated their health services did not screen for nutrition risk, and 58% did not screen for sarcopenia. Key barriers were lack of established processes for sarcopenia screening (75%), limited dietetic services (60%), and lack of specific referral pathways (58%). CONCLUSION: The perceived importance of malnutrition and sarcopenia in ovarian cancer varies according to professional discipline despite robust evidence of the importance to clinical outcomes.

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