Hosted by Oncology Specialist Group
Igniting Innovation in Oncology Dietetics brings together leading voices in cancer nutrition to showcase new research, emerging practice, and forward thinking ideas.
The day features sessions on CT based body composition assessment, the evolving role of Advanced Practitioner Dietitians in supporting body image disturbance in H&N cancer, and new research from a 12 week Mediterranean diet intervention for breast cancer survivors.
With a research poster exhibition and an interactive Q&A panel of dietitians who have successfully led research projects, this event offers inspiration, practical insight, and a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues driving meaningful progress in oncology dietetics.
Speakers
- Neil Bibby, Senior Specialist HPB Dietitian, Manchester Royal Infirmary presenting on Body Composition Assessment by Computed Tomography (CT)- feedback on the Online Short Course by Monash University.
More about Neil- HPB specialist dietitian for over 10 years. Committee member of the BDA prehab sub-group and the nutrition specialist group of the pancreatic society.
Session overview- Provide an overview of the course, how it was delivered and assessed, and plans for implementation in the future.
- Jo Cunningham, Cancer and Gut Specialist Dietitian, Green Light Nutrition presenting on Evaluation of a 12-week Mediterranean diet-based nutritional and educational programme for breast cancer survivors: impact on BMI, fatigue, dietary adherence, and menopausal symptoms.
More about Jo - Jo specialises in cancer nutrition and digestive support. Her clinic, Green Light Nutrition, works with private cancer hospitals across London and the home counties, supporting cancer patients through evidence-based practice. She also works closely with private gastroenterologists (with a particular focus on
IBS) as well as private oncologists.
Session overview - This session presents findings from a 12-week Mediterranean diet-based nutritional and educational programme for breast cancer survivors, combining structured meal provision with online education to address common post-treatment challenges. Jo will share the evaluation results on BMI, fatigue, dietary adherence, and menopausal symptoms, alongside practical insight into designing and delivering research-led interventions in survivorship care.
- Debbie Provan, Clinical Advisor, Honorary Lecturer and Dietitian presenting on Body weight and lymphoedema management: A PhD study and dissemination of findings.
More about Debbie - Debbie is a dietitian and clinical advisor with over 20 years of experience in cancer care. Her PhD explored attitudes to body weight in the context of lymphoedema. She is passionate about translating research into practical approaches that improve the lives of people living with and beyond cancer.
Session overview - Can addressing body weight improve lymphoedema care? Drawing on the first UK study to capture the views of both patients and practitioners, this session reveals new insights into one of the most challenging aspects of lymphoedema management and presents practical recommendations that could reshape future practice.
- Penny Kaye, Trainee Advanced Practitioner: Oncology Dietetics, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust presenting on Expanding the Scope: An investigation into the role of the Advanced Practitioner (AP) Dietitian in providing first line psychosocial support for Body Image Disturbance in people living with and beyond Head and Neck Cancer.
More about Penny - Current trainee Advanced Practitioner – MSc to be completed in September/October 2026. Worked in dietetics for 35 years and in Oncology specialism for the past 15 years. Special interest in psycho-oncology and late effects in cancer.
Session overview - In this session, Penny will share an overview of her MSc Advanced Practice research journey — the highs, the challenges, and the learning — and present the outcomes of her study into body image disturbance. This includes explaining what BID is, its prevalence, predictors, mechanisms, moderators and impacts, and summarising her evaluation of whether Advanced Practice Dietitians can deliver first line psychosocial support, based on evidence, mechanisms, scope and AP competencies.
- Kirsty Clutterbuck, Specialist Head and Neck Cancer Dietitian at Sussex Cancer Centre, Royal Sussex County Hospital and Chair of the BDA Oncology Specialist Group presenting on BDA Oncology Specialist Group AGM.
More about Kirsty - Head and Neck Dietitian at the Sussex Cancer Centre, Brighton. Chair of the Oncology Specialist Group.
Session overview - Kirsty’s session will cover the Committee, OSG membership, the Treasurer’s report, OSG activities, subgroups, and the 2026–2027 work plan.
- Dr Erin Stella Sullivan, Lecturer in Nutritional Sciences, Kings College London and Research Officer for the BDA Oncology Specialist Group presenting on Getting into Research.
More about Erin - Erin is a Registered Dietitian and a Lecturer at King’s College London. Her research primarily focusses on the role of dietetics in cancer care, and advanced nutrition assessment and body composition imaging methodologies. She is one of the Research Officers for the BDA Oncology Specialist Group.
- Dr Clare Shaw, Consultant Dietitian and Lucy Eldridge, Head of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Royal Marsden presenting on NIHR Update on collaboration and engagement.
More about Clare - Clare’s recent work includes a publication on the use of parenteral nutrition in advanced cancer. She currently co-chairs the workstream on Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity across the Cancer Continuum in the NIHR Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration.
More about Lucy - Head of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust with 30 years experience. Current Alliance officer of the Oncology group working with charities and other organisations to enhance nutritional information for patients.
Session overview - Clare and Lucy will be describing the work of the NIHR Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration workstreams and how dietitians can engage with the Collaboration.
Cost
- Oncology Specialist Group member £25
- BDA member £75
- Non member £100
*If your place is cancelled and we're unable to re-allocate your place there will be a non-attendance fee of £50.
Sponsored by
Poster submission
As part of the day, the committee want to celebrate and highlight local project work within oncology dietetics which has been impactful for a local service or a dietitian’s career development, for example, audit, QI project, service evaluation or small-scale research. Highlighting excellent scientific communication, so rather than assessing abstracts, we will be assessing completed posters. As the main deadline has passed and we still have room for more posters, we are now accepting posters presenting formal research and projects that have been or will also be presented at the main BDA Research Symposium. Research in practice will be prioritised for awards, but all projects are welcome.
Poster submissions have now closed.
Guidelines
- We are now accepting posters presenting any service evaluation, audit, QI or research projects, including formal research and projects that have been or will also be presented at the main BDA Research Symposium. Research in practice will be prioritised for awards, but all projects are welcome.
- The poster must not have been submitted or accepted to the BDA research symposium for 2026.
- You are welcome to submit a poster which has been presented previously at another local conference or meeting, but you must include a sentence at the bottom to state where and when it was previously presented/published.
- Posters should be submitted during your registration as PDF files.
- If you have never made a poster before, or need a template or some guidance, you are welcome to use our poster template.
Assessment
- Posters will be screened by the two research officers (and an independent reviewer in case of conflicts) and up to eight posters will be selected to be displayed on the day.
- Assessment criteria will include:
- Poster design/presentation (including clarity)
- Clear demonstration of local impact (appropriately supported claims, with evidence/rigour consistent with research in practice, rather than formal research expectations)
- Potential for impact/learnings for any pillar of wider dietetic practice (appropriate insights demonstrated, while considering scale of the project likely was intended primarily for local impact)
Prizes/Bursary
- If selected, you will receive £100 travel reimbursement for your attendance on the day.
- There is also an exciting prize to be won if your poster is voted the best poster by the attendees on the day!
Admin code: SLA
