The beginning of an idea

The development of practical knowledge to help patients to eat while undergoing cancer treatment was launched at Alícia in 2006. The drive came all from Dr Josep Baselga, a worldwide leader of oncology research, sadly deceased in 2021. Since then, our laboratory, which is focused on responsible food, has not ceased to innovate. With many proposals and recipes specifically designed by a multidisciplinary team of chefs, nutritionists, technologists, and experts in food culture.

How was the project born?

Eating through Cancer Treatment is a social project, promoted by Catalunya La Pedrera Foundation and developed by Alícia, in cooperation with other leading organisations. The project began in 2008 after receiving some requests from professionals, patients and caregivers. All of them expressed the need for practical, rigorous, and quality information on food for different types of tumours.

It was at that point that Alícia got in touch with the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), joining to the project shortly afterwards. They provided knowledge and experience through their Functional Unit of Clinical Nutrition team in the Hospitalet’s ICO.

How it is developed

Health professionals, experts, patients, and relatives were involved since the start via focal groups. Learning first-hand the real needs in the field of nutrition during the disease treatment. Organisations and professionals of reference have been incorporated along the process of developing and expanding knowledge.

↓Consult the collaborators

The information and materials generated are gathered in the “Eating during Cancer Treatment” collection. Guidelines with dietary and culinary recommendations to facilitate day-to-day food management for people undergoing treatment of different types of cancers.

Other publications and websites on food and cancer provide general information, answer questions, and clarify the most widespread myths and beliefs during treatment. However, this one, gathers also information targeted to specific locations with customisable recommendations to different types of tumours.

Its mission: to support good nutrition

The main goal lies on helping people with cancer to maintain an optimal nutritional state, explaining them the basics of nutrition to be followed after being diagnosed with cancer. The contents developed aim to give a more specific dietary advice on how to eat during the different phases of treatment and during the onset of the most common side effects, which can affect the digestive system and, therefore, the appetite and tolerance to diet.

Seven guides have been published since 2014. This web portal has recently been launched with all the updated contents. As a result, the project is constantly being revised and expanded, and Alícia continues to work on new contents and publications.

The project is endorsed by the College of Dietitians-Nutritionists of Catalonia (CoDiNuCat) and the Spanish Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (SENPE).

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON NUTRITION DURING CANCER TREATMENT

With the collaboration of the Catalan Institute of Oncology

 

MYTHS AND BELIEFS ABOUT NUTRITION DURING CANCER TREATMENT

With the collaboration of the Catalan Institute of Oncology and the Catalan Food Safety Agency

 

CULINARY DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER

With the collaboration of the Catalan Institute of Oncology

 

CULINARY DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE TREATMENT OF HEAD AND NECK CANCER

With the collaboration of the Catalan Institute of Oncology

 

CULINARY DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE TREATMENT OF COLON CANCER

With the collaboration of the Catalan Institute of Oncology and Bellvitge University Hospital

 

CULINARY DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE TREATMENT OF LUNG CANCER

With the collaboration of the Catalan Institute of Oncology

 

CULINARY DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS DURING THE TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER

With the collaboration of the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona and IPSEN Pharma