ANIEMEA-P-GB-202502935 (V2) | February 2026
Authors:
Dr Ione de Brito-Ashurst, RD, PhD
Publish Date:
December 2022 | 40 min
Abstract:
Nutrition and exercise are vital for supporting cancer patients, as they enhance overall wellbeing, strengthen the immune system, and improve tolerance to treatment - ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes and quality of life.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe the relationship between malnutrition and sarcopenia, and the impact on treatment outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer.
Discuss the role of nutrition and exercise in cancer prehabilitation and throughout the cancer journey.
Review the nutritional requirements of patients with cancer and the evidence for use of high protein, beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) and vitamin D.
AUTHOR(S) BIO
DR IONE DE BRITO-ASHURST, RD, PHD
Head of Therapies & Rehabilitation, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London
Ione is a dietitian and most of her recent clinical work has been in critical care. This has led to her active research interest in prevention and management of muscle mass decline. However, her research as part of her master’s and PhD has been around renal nutrition. She carried out her master’s research in patients’ renal nutrition education looking at improving phosphate management.
This was followed by a trial in bicarbonate supplementation that was published in an USA journal, won a European prize for significant contribution to the renal field and led to changes in the American and European renal nutrition recommendations.
Ione’s PhD followed this – A dietary salt intervention to reduce blood pressure in the Bangladeshi chronic kidney disease patients. Her work aimed to bridge the gap between the acute and community sector in the renal care of this patient group and to reduce health inequalities.
Ione is currently part of the European Society Parenteral Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN) Life Long Learning Faculty teaching group. She also works with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of NHS England as a specialist advisor. Despite the leadership role, Ione is still passionate about nutrition and critical care and works closely co-supervising Masters and PhDs at Brazilian Universities. Ione won the ‘Florence Nightingale Leadership’ scholarship award in 2016, the only allied health professional in the nursing group.
Ione joined the London Clinical Senate Council in May 2019.
