Bérengère Beauplet, Associate Researcher at Anticipe, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“I am excited to share our collaborative work that has just been published with Springer Nature!
A The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and International Society of Oral Oncology.
Clinical Practice Statement: Management of social eating and drinking challenges in adults with cancer.
Thanks to all the collaborators in this multidiscplinary team:
Cherith Semple, Dr Mark Dornan, IrmaVerdonck-de-Leeuw, Koji Amano, April Choi, Elaine Moore, Aurora Ninfa, Femke Jansen, David R. Dean, Maria Kouri, Edigio Del Fabbro, Sharon Elad and Bogda Koczwara, chair of the Psychosocial Study Group who came up with the idea!
What if one of the hardest consequences of cancer was not only struggling to eat… but no longer being able to share meals with others?
Beyond swallowing difficulties, taste changes, fatigue, or physical changes, there are also:
- Social isolation
- Fear of judgment from others
- Avoiding restaurants or family meals
- Loss of pleasure and connection around food
The article reminds us that eating and drinking are not only nutritional needs — they are also deeply tied to identity, relationships, culture, and quality of life.
Key takeaways:
- Healthcare professionals should address the social dimension of eating as part of supportive cancer care
- Family and social support are essential
- Simple adaptations can make a meaningful difference (modified textures, supportive environments, non-judgmental communication)
- Restaurants, cafés, and society also have a role to play in creating more inclusive eating experiences
One patient quote from the article is especially powerful:
‘I felt invisible, as if I was looking at them through a window.’
This publication opens an important conversation about dignity, survivorship, and the social impact of cancer and its treatments.
An essential read for everyone involved in oncology, supportive care, nutrition, rehabilitation, and patient-centered care.”
To which Bogda Koczwara, Director of Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship, added:
“Eating after cancer is not just about nutrition, it is also about social connection, dignity, and normality.
Our new The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Clinical Practice Statement led by Bérengère Beauplet brought together colleagues from across the globe to provide recommendations on how health care providers can support patients when social eating is challenging.”
Title: A Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer and International Society of Oral Oncology Clinical Practice Statement: Management of social eating and drinking challenges in adults with cancer
Authors: Bérengère Beauplet, Cherith Semple, Mark Dornan, Irma Verdonck-de Leeuw, Koji Amano, April Choi, Elaine Moore, Aurora Ninfa, Femke Jansen, David R. Dean, Maria Kouri, Egidio Del Fabbro, Sharon Elad and Bogda Koczwara
Other articles featuring Bogda Koczwara on OncoDaily.