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Nutrition still overlooked in cancer survivorship, new research finds
Researchers at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) are calling for nutrition to become a core part of cancer survivorship care, warning that survivors are often left without clear, evidence-based dietary support despite strong and growing research.
In Ireland, cancer survivorship is rising significantly. Recent national data show that around 1 in 23* people- approximately 4.3% of the population- are living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis, and the number of survivors has increased by more than 50% over the past decade- a major success in modern medicine.
However, survivorship can bring lasting challenges, including fatigue, weight changes, bone and cardiovascular health concerns, and increased risk of other chronic conditions.
Researchers say nutrition plays a key role in managing these effects and supporting long-term quality of life.
The call follows publication of a new paper, ‘Nutrition in Cancer Survivorship: Bridging the Evidence-Practice Gap’ in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, which highlights a significant gap between what research shows about the benefits of nutrition after cancer and what survivors experience in practice.
The review was led by Dr Laura Keaver, Senior Lecturer in Human Nutrition and Dietetics at ATU and researcher with the Health and Biomedical Research Centre (HEAL). Dr Keaver received the prestigious Julie Wallace Award in June 2025, which recognises significant contributions and emerging leadership in nutrition. As part of the award, she was invited to author a key paper on nutrition and cancer survivorship, which resulted in this publication- a collaboration between ATU and University College Cork (UCC). She was joined by Niamh O’Callaghan, ATU’s PhD researcher, and Dr Katie E. Johnston and Dr Samantha J.Cushen, both from the UCC College of Medicine and Health.
Dr Laura Keaver said survivorship is increasingly recognised as a distinct phase of cancer care, yet nutrition remains under-prioritised:
More people are surviving cancer, but nutrition is still being left behind, despite its key role in supporting long-term quality of life. Survivors deserve evidence-based support that helps them live well, not confusion or guesswork.
One of the most striking findings of the research was the limited and inconsistent access to evidence-based nutrition care for cancer survivors, despite clear evidence of benefit.
Many survivors are motivated to improve their diet following treatment yet often do not receive timely or appropriate guidance. Without professional support, individuals may rely on unreliable sources of information, leading to confusion, anxiety and, in some cases, unnecessary dietary restriction.
Dr Keaver highlighted that nutrition after cancer is not about rigid rules or perfection.
“Nutrition after cancer doesn’t have to be perfect or complicated. What survivors need is clear, trustworthy guidance that supports their recovery and quality of life”.
She added that small, realistic dietary changes can make a meaningful difference to health outcomes and wellbeing.
The research also highlights concerns for those treated for cancer in childhood or young adulthood.
PhD researcher Niamh O’Callaghan noted that long-term or “late” effects of cancer treatment can appear earlier in life for this group, placing them at higher health risk compared to their peers.
“This underlines why long-term health and nutrition support should be part of care beyond treatment,” she said.
The researchers argue that nutrition must be embedded into routine survivorship care rather than treated as an optional extra. Key priorities include clearer referral pathways to dietetic services, greater integration of oncology dietitians into cancer care teams, consistent, practical guidance for healthcare professionals, and more implementation research to understand how best to deliver nutrition care in real-world settings.
They propose a tiered model of care, where all survivors can access basic evidence-based nutrition guidance, with specialist dietetic support available for those with more complex needs.
Dr Keaver said ATU is well placed to translate cancer research into practice:
“Through developing and evaluating survivorship nutrition models, training future health professionals, and working closely with healthcare providers and communities, ATU is committed to ensuring that evidence-based nutrition support becomes a standard part of cancer survivorship care.”
*Source: Cancer statistics- Irish Cancer Society
Photo caption: Generic image of a balanced food plate.
Ivana Hanjs
Communications Officer
Tel: +353 (0) 89 963 9559
