Multimodal Program for Cancer Related Cachexia Prevention

Effectiveness of a Multimodal Education and Support Program for the Prevention of Cancer Related Cachexia for Patients and Their Family Caregiver

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multifactorial education and support program for the prevention of cancer-related cachexia syndrome, for patients and their family caregivers during anti-cancer treatment.

After being informed about the study and the need to nominate a family caregiver, all patients and their family caregiver giving written informed consent, they will undergo a 12-weeks multimodal program. Randomly they will divided into two groups (intervention and control). This 12-weeks multimodal program includes 4 meetings (with cancer nurse and clinical dietician). In this 4 meetings (about 30 minutes) they will have blood tests (CRP, Albumin levels), body composition measurements, questionnaires, education on their diet and symptom management.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 years old or older
2. Participants must be diagnosed with solid tumour (stomach, colorectal, pancreas, breast, lung)
3. Participants needing chemotherapy/immunotherapy/hormone therapy/target therapy
4. Participants must be normal or pre cachectic as defined by the guidelines
5. Read and understand Greek or English

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Haematologic tumors

2. Parenteral Nutrition

3. ECOG Performance status >2 or Karnofsky Performance Status <60%

4. Participant who can not introduce a family caregiver

5. Participants in cachexia or refractory cachexia stage as defined by the guidelines below:

   • >5% weight loss over the past 6 months (in absence of simple starvation); OR
   • BMI <20 and any degree of weight loss >2%; OR
   • Appendicular skeletal muscle index consistent with sarcopenia (whole body fat-free mass index without bone determined by bioelectrical impedance (men <14.6 kg/m²; women <11.4 kg/m²) and weight loss >2%

6. Patients who use complementary therapies (ex-acupuncture)