Oncology Nutrition Market

Market Overview

The global Oncology Nutrition was valued at USD 1.83 billion in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 3.78 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period (2023-2031). 

The growing incidence of cancer cases worldwide is a significant factor in the development of the oncology nutrition industry. The use of dietary products before and during cancer therapy provides the opportunity to combat disease and provides strength and resilience against the after-effects of the treatment, fueling demand development. Other factors playing a crucial role in taking the oncology nutrition market to the next level are the growing demand for oncology nutrition products in-home care settings and the increasing demand for enteral nutrition products is expected to further spur the growth of the oncology nutrition market. Oncology nutrition formulas have a lot of room to grow due to factors such as the development of elemental formulations and innovative products in terms of non-GMO-based formulas. The demand for oncology nutrition is increasing due to factors such as the shift in focus from parenteral to enteral feeding, rising cancer risk, rising demand for healthy and nutritional feeding in the home healthcare industry, rising numbers of patients undergoing treatment for malnutrition, and enhancing quality of medical research on oncology nutrition. 

Market Dynamics

What are the primary factors driving the market?

Increasing Prevalence of Cancer

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The statistics from the WHO reveal that around 25% of cancer patients die due to malnourishment as a result of illness or anti-cancer therapy. In 2020, there were an estimated 18.1 million cancer cases worldwide. There were 9.3 million male cases and 8.8 million female cases. In 2020, breast and lung cancers accounted for 12.5% and 12.2%, respectively, of the total number of new cases diagnosed worldwide.

In 2020, there were approximately 1.9 million new cases of colorectal cancer, constituting 10.7% of all new cases. Lung cancer was the most prevalent cancer among men worldwide in 2020, accounting for 15.4% of all new cases. The top three cancers — lung, prostate, and colorectal — accounted for 41.9% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer). Stomach and liver cancers also contributed more than 5 percent. In 2020, breast cancer accounted for 25.8% of the total number of new cancer cases diagnosed in women worldwide. Breast, colorectal, and lung cancers accounted for 44.5% of all cancer cases (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer). Cervical cancer was the fourth most prevalent cancer in women in 2020, accounting for 6.9% of all newly diagnosed cases.

Increasing Geriatric Population

Moreover, the increasing geriatric population is expected to fuel the industry's growth in the near term as they are more prone to develop cancer. According to the WHO's data, it is predicted that the global population aged 60 years and above will reach 2 billion by 2050. About 60% of cancers occur in individuals aged 65 and older. In addition, approximately 70% of cancer-related deaths occur at this stage.

What are the main factors that will slow down the market?

Complications with Tube Feeding

The growth rate of the oncology nutrition market will likely be slowed by tube feeding issues. Possible complications of a feeding tube include constipation, dehydration, diarrhea, skin issues, unintentional intestinal tears, and abdominal infection. The complications related to tube feeding can affect the patient's health and the market growth of oncology nutrition.

What are the future opportunities for the market?

Growing Awareness about Oncology Nutrition

The oncology nutrition market is gaining traction from the mushrooming of private and public organizations dedicated to increasing awareness levels. The Nutritional Oncology Research Institute (NORI) Nutraceuticals provides superior quality nutritional supplements and specialty nutraceuticals for clinical oncology. NORI integrates the power of nutrition and a few very natural agents to aid slow down cancer progression and potentially reverse it.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics empowers the Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group through its publication and consultancy comprising of advocacy and educational research as an oncology nutrition pioneer with experts. MNI, the Medical Nutrition International Industry association, represents companies offering solutions for nutritional therapy, such as Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS), Enteral Tube Feeding (enteral nutrition via the gastrointestinal tract), and Parenteral Nutrition (intravenous feeding), as well as other factors operating in the medical nutrition market, such as ingredients and medical devices for nutritional care.

Regional Analysis

The global oncology nutrition market is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America region is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period owing to the escalating prevalence of cancer across the American region. For instance, as reported by the National Cancer Institute, under the National Institute of Health (NIH), in 2020, an estimated 1.8 million new cases of cancer are expected to have been diagnosed within the United States, and 606,520 patients amongst them are probable to meet fatal consequences. Furthermore, according to NIH, the incidence rate of new cases is approximately 442.4 cases per 100,000 men and women annually, and the mortality rate due to the same is approximated as 158.3 deaths per 100,000 men and women every year. Thus, due to the growing risks and incidence of cancer within the region, the market experiences high demand for cancer nutrition. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 1.9 million new cases of cancer in the United States in 2022.  Government programs, new product launches, and partnerships contribute to the expansion of the cancer nutrition supplement market. For instance, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics hosted the "2022 Oncology Nutrition Symposium" in June 2022. Besides, key players operating in this region are now focusing on adopting strategies, such as product innovations, mergers, and acquisitions, on enhancing their market position.

Europe is expected to witness dynamic growth in the oncology nutrition market during the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of breast cancer in the U.K. and the registration of over 55,000 breast cancer cases each year in the U.K. and around 4,700 in Scotland are some of the factors expected to support the market growth in the region. The rise of breast cancer cases due to unhealthy lifestyles, such as less physical activity, increasing alcohol consumption, and obesity, is fueling the growth of the oncology nutrition market. Similarly, approximately 350 men are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.K., escalating the market growth further.

Asia-Pacific is expected to witness significant growth in the oncology nutrition market during the forecast period due to increased nutrition awareness campaigns for cancer patients. In August 2018, the Singapore Cancer Society will organize its awareness campaign titled Gastric Cancer Awareness 2018. This campaign emphasizes the significance of maintaining a healthy diet during and after treatment for gastric cancer. These campaigns are anticipated to contribute to the expansion of the oncology nutrition market. The surge in cancer prevalence, coupled with the rising geriatric population in this region and high expenditure on healthcare, is among the key factors attributable to the development of the Asia-Pacific cancer clinical nutrition sector. Japan has the largest aging population in the world, with the number of people over 65 years of age expected to be 36.21 million (28.9%) in 2022 and is predicted to exceed 39.35 million in 2042, according to the World Ageing 2022 survey.

The LAMEA region is expected to witness moderate growth in the global oncology nutrition market during the forecast period. In the Middle East and Africa, improving healthcare infrastructure and rising government initiatives in healthcare contribute to the market's growth. According to a study at the University of Sharjah, The risk of cancer in young adults in UAE is five times higher than U.K., USA, China, India, and Canada.

Segmental Analysis

The global oncology nutrition market is segmented by cancer type.

Based on cancer type, the global market is bifurcated into the brain, blood, pancreas, breast, neck, liver, stomach, and gastrointestinal cancer.

The lung cancer segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of xx% during the forecast period. Nutrition plays an important role in the continuum of lung cancer. Studies have shown that smokers consuming elevated levels of beta-carotene and vitamin A supplements have increased the prevalence and mortality of lung cancer. However, dietary consumption of beta-carotene, along with a diet high in fruits and vegetables, plays a beneficial function in combating lung cancer.

According to GLOBOCAN 2020 figures, an estimated 19.3 million cancer cases have been registered worldwide, which is projected to rise by 2040 to reach 3,096,944 cases. Of all types of tumors, lung cancer has the largest share, accounting for 2,206,771 new diagnoses globally in 2020. The need for oncology nutrition will grow as the number of people with lung cancer rises, as nutrition provides the opportunity to combat illness and gives resilience against the after-effects of the treatment.

The breast cancer segment is expected to witness a higher CAGR. Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in the world and the most prevalent malignancy in women. A recent study suggests that a healthy dietary pattern consisting of a high intake of unrefined cereals, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and olive oil and a moderate/low intake of saturated fatty acids and red meat may improve overall survival after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Recent Developments

• November 2022, Abbott is going to upgrade 75 primary health centers across all over India in partnership with Americares India Foundation.
• June 2022, Hormel Foods announced new regenerative agriculture initiatives to support farmers with a new holistic system that encourages innovation and soil improvement.