Evaluation of the impact of chemotherapy on eating habits of women with non-metastatic breast cancer

ABSTRACT

Introduction: There are few studies that investigated the eating habits of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Objectives: To study the changes in dietary intake during chemotherapy, relating to sociodemographic variables, gastrointestinal side effects, and changes consumption in food groups.

Material and Methods: This study was made at Clinical Oncology Department of A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil. We investigated weight, height and food intake as measured using the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), before and after chemotherapy treatment alone with anthracyclines, with curative intent, for patients with non-metastatic breast cancer.

Results: A total of 41 patients participated in the first phase of the study, and 26 completed the second phase. Milk and milk derivatives, beef stroganoff, liver, tuna and sardines, shrimp, papaya, fruit juices such as cashew, acerola (Barbados cherry, Malphighia punicifolia), vegetables with high fat content, and macaroni/pasta had increased consumption (p<0.05) during treatment. In contrast, lettuce and escarole were eaten less (p<0.05). Meat, fish, eggs, and sweets, savory snacks and decorated sweets with icing sugar were all subject to increased consumption (p<0.05). A loss of appetite was associated with meat, fish, and eggs; nausea was associated with bread, cereals, root vegetables and legumes consumption (p<0.05). These changes were not associated with an increase in body mass index, and there was no correlation with sociodemographic variables.

Conclusion: Changes in patterns of food intake in patients on chemotherapy was found and deserve attention, as gain weight is related to disease relapse in breast cancer.

RESUMO

Introdução: Existem poucos estudos que investigaram os hábitos alimentares de pacientes com câncer de mama em tratamento quimioterápico.

Objetivos: Estudar as mudanças na ingestão alimentar durante o tratamento quimioterápico, relacionando as variáveis sociodemográficas, efeitos colaterais gastrointestinais e mudanças no consumo em grupos alimentares.

Material e Métodos: Este estudo foi realizado no Departamento de Oncologia Clínica do A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brasil. Investigou-se peso, altura e consumo alimentar medidos por meio do questionário de frequência alimentar (QFA), antes e após o tratamento quimioterápico isolado com antraciclinas, com intenção curativa, para pacientes com câncer de mama não metastático.

Resultados: Um total de 41 pacientes participaram da primeira fase do estudo e 26 completaram a segunda fase. Leite e derivados, estrogonofe de carne, fígado, atum e sardinha, camarão, mamão, sucos de frutas como caju, acerola, hortaliças com alto teor de gordura e macarrão/macarrão tiveram consumo aumentado (p<0,05) durante o tratamento. Em contrapartida, alface e escarola foram menos consumidas (p<0,05). Carnes, peixes, ovos e doces, salgadinhos e doces decorados com açúcar de confeiteiro foram todos sujeitos a maior consumo (p<0,05). A perda de apetite foi associada com carne, peixe e ovos; a náusea foi associada ao consumo de pão, cereais, tubérculos e leguminosas (p<0,05). Essas alterações não foram associadas ao aumento do índice de massa corporal e não houve correlação com variáveis sociodemográficas.

Conclusão: Alterações nos padrões de ingestão alimentar em pacientes em tratamento quimioterápico foram encontradas e merecem atenção, pois o ganho de peso está relacionado à recidiva da doença no câncer de mama.

Keywords:

Food - Chemotherapy - Adjuvant - Breast neoplasms - Diet - Feeding behavior - Nutritionists

Descritores:

Alimentos - Quimioterapia adjuvante - Neoplasias mamárias - Dieta - Comportamento alimentar - Nutricionistas

Publication History

Received: 19 January 2022

Accepted: 25 March 2022

Article published online:
22 June 2022

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