VARIATIONS IN DIETARY HABITS DURING CANCER TREATMENT: RESULTS OF A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY.

Abstract

We aimed to explore variations in dietary habits in cancer patients according to clinical and demographic characteristics. We conducted a cross-sectional survey on cancer patients treated with systemic therapy. The survey included 42 items concerning demographic and clinical data, observed dietary modifications and oncologist implication. All patients gave their informed consent to participate in the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows software version 20 was used on statistical analysis. The study involved 110 patients (female 71.8% and male 28.2%), mean age 53.4 years. They were treated mostly for breast cancer (58.2%). Patients reduced or stopped taking canned products (70%), milk (59.1%), red meat (80%), processed meat (76.4%), fatty food (88%) and sugar (83.6%). Conversely, preferred food were fish (73.6%), fruits and vegetables (95.5%), and honey (54.5%). Weight loss of 5 kg or more was higher among patients on a sugar restrictive diet (p=0.026). Thirty-five patients discussed diet with their oncologist. Patients received information on diet from the internet and other patients. Our findings suggested that patients were aware of the role of a balanced diet and made many changes. However, most of the patient information was derived from informal sources.