The Local Communication La Xarxa (XAL) –in collaboration with the Alicia Foundation, the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), the ‘Pere Virgili’ Health Research Institute (IISPV) and the University of Barcelona (UB)- has signed an agreement with the aims to produce, broadcast and disseminate audiovisual content and territorial actions, which are related to feeding during the treatment of cancer in adults.

In the presentation, the CEO of the XAL, Lluís Garriga, highlighted “the teamwork between the institutions involved”, and this project are “a clear example of public service”. The general director of the Alicia Foundation, Toni Massanés, commented that “in the Foundation, they have been researching in this field for many years” and “they are happy to join forces and contribute with their experience”. For its part, the general director of the ICO, Dr. Candela Calle, has noted that “the project is another step to bring nutritional information to the patient, by gathering different experts in the field of care, research and, finally, communication, in order to make it reach citizens”. “It is a success of collaborative work between institutions that reinforces the value of our country”, she added. Dr. Gabriel Capellá, director of the IDIBELL, has emphasized the fact that “we give back to the citizens what they have invested in two researchers, pioneers in the field of cancer nutrition”. The director of IISPV, Dr. Joan Vendrell has talked about “the important benefits that this project has for the patient and their families”.

For the University of Barcelona, the Vice Chancellor for Research, Dr. Domènec Espriu, has taken the floor to underline “the importance of transferring knowledge from the University to society, a mission that is no less important than teaching or researching activities. Therefore, we must make an effort to transfer to society everything we are creating in our laboratories, research centers and universities, and we need the support from the media, such the XAL, in order to reach citizens”.

‘What and how to eat during cancer’: a public service project, with rigor as the focal point

For the purpose of making the material reach as many people as possible, 100 pill videos and podcasts are being made: 32 recipes that intend to mitigate the most common side effects of the disease; 10 videos for breaking myths about food and cancer; 8 capsules where dietitians-nutritionists expose the main side effects that manifest during the disease, such as loss of appetite or taste distortion; 2 pills with general advices on how to eat during and after the disease; and first person reports in which patients and ex-patients expose their experience.

The pills will be shown soon on local televisions and radios, in the media of the signatory institutions and on social networks. The web www.menjardurantelcancer.cat will also be activated.

The beginning of the project

Anna Tresserra is a IISPV researcher, an ex-patient and a nutrition and health specialist. She was who promoted the project a year ago. Beyond the indications of the specialists, she did not find any specific informative audiovisual material about feeding during her illness. She didn’t know what or how to eat. So she contacted his colleague Raúl Zamora, a cancer researcher at the IDIBELL, and together they decided to propose a multiple alliance between institutions: the Alicia Foundation, the ICO, the IDIBELL, the IISPV, the UB and the XAL.