Funding outcome

Loss of muscle mass is a common and clinically significant problem in people with cancer, affecting treatment tolerance, recovery, and survival. Protein is the main nutrient that helps preserve muscle, but current guidelines for people with cancer are based on very limited evidence and are not sex-specific. Our research has shown that people with cancer may need much more protein than the general recommendations, sometimes close to twice as much. This project builds on an ongoing study in which we are evaluating the protein needs of patients with cancer (colorectal or breast) at two time points during treatment. In this next step of the project, we will continue to use a safe, non-invasive test that only requires breath and urine samples to measure protein needs in female survivors who are no longer undergoing treatment. By providing clear and accurate data, this research will help health professionals give better nutrition advice to females who underwent cancer treatment and are now disease-free. The results will support the development of practical guidelines, improve recovery, reduce complications, and ultimately enhance quality of life for Canadian females living with and beyond cancer.