The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Da Nang Oncology Hospital, said it will adjust the image and continue to promote for patients - Photo: DOAN NHAN
Previously, Tuoi Tre Online published an article "What did the hospital say after receiving backlash for advising cancer patients not to use colostrum?".
Malnourished patients but buy inappropriate milk
Talking to Tuoi Tre Online , MSc. Dr. Tran Thi Thanh - Deputy Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Da Nang Oncology Hospital - said that the information: "You should not use colostrum because the energy - protein is very low, there is no EPA, it will aggravate malnutrition and be costly for patients" has appeared on the projection screen in the waiting room of the department for many years. In it, there is an image of a can of A. milk (abbreviated name) that recently caused a reaction from the distributors of this milk.
Dr. Thanh said that most cancer patients are malnourished due to the effects of lack of energy, lack of protein in their diet and cachexia caused by the tumor, leading to weight loss and muscle atrophy.
Therefore, a reasonable diet including milk for malnourished cancer patients must increase energy, increase protein and be rich in omega-3, especially EPA to help improve weight, improve muscle mass and quality of life. In addition, it depends on the underlying disease to choose such as diabetes, liver failure, kidney failure, etc.
Most cancer patients are malnourished, but because they believe in exaggerated advertisements about its benefits, they spend large sums of money to buy milk that is not suitable for cancer patients.
Doctor Thanh explained that with A. milk that many patients buy, doctors have to advise them not to use it because each 150ml serving of A. milk has very low energy (50 kcal), low protein (2.6g protein), no omega-3 (EPA) while a 200ml serving of milk for cancer patients has about 250 - 300 kcal of energy, 10 - 20g protein, some lines also have omega-3.
Considering the composition of milk A, the energy and protein are too low while patients spend too much money to buy it, and have no money left to buy the type suitable for their illness, making the malnutrition worse.
Will adjust the image part
Dr. Thanh said that many poor patients have spent money, even borrowed money, to buy A milk because they heard the seller advertise that it helps increase resistance, helping them fight cancer. When they are told to buy more suitable milk to improve their malnutrition, the patients have no money left to buy other milk.
Because this condition is so common, and not all patients know how to read the ingredient list on the milk box, doctors have to specifically provide a picture of milk A. along with the above advice so that patients can easily recognize it.
The propaganda content on the screen was temporarily deleted to adjust the offending image – Photo: DOAN NHAN
“In this case, using the image of the milk company is inappropriate, but I myself only work professionally, for the benefit of patients. I will learn from experience and make appropriate adjustments, but still maintain the old point of view,” said Dr. Thanh, adding that he will adjust the content with the image of A. milk in the table of contents and continue to promote the above information.
![[Photo] Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs Government Conference with localities on economic growth](https://vstatic.vietnam.vn/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/2/21/f34583484f2643a2a2b72168a0d64baa)
Comment (0)