Abstract 236P
Background
Food habits change in early breast cancer (EBC) patients (pts) during chemotherapy has been poorly studied in literature. Primary aim of this study was to evaluate food preferences and consumption of EBC pts before and after adjuvant chemotherapy.
Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study at Medical Oncology Unit and Breast Unit of ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia (Italy). From April 2014 to June 2018 205 EBC pts were enrolled and interviewed by a dietician to assess quantity and frequency of several foods, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages intake. Additional 205 EBC patients, who were not interviewed by the dietitian, were selected as control group.
Results
A statistically significant reduction of the following foods and beverage was reported after chemotherapy: pasta or rice (p=0.009), bread (p<0.0001), breadsticks/crackers (p<0.0001), red meat (p<0.0001), fat salami (p<0.0001), lean salami (p<0.0001), fresh cheese (p=0.039), aged cheese (p=0.011), yogurt (p=0.022), sugar (p<0.0001), soft drinks (p=0.003), alcoholic beverages such as wine (p<0.0001), beer (p<0.0001), schnapps (p<0.001), and condiments such as oil (p=0.029) and butter (0.014). Conversely, fruit consumption consistently increased (p<0.0001). As a consequence of these food habits changes body weight did not increase, despite reduction in physical activity. Body weight remained stable also in the control group, indirectly suggesting that food habit variation was not influenced by the dietician.
Conclusions
This prospective study shows that EBC patients tend to adopt “healthier dietary patterns” during adjuvant chemotherapy leading to a non-change in body weight, despite reduction of physical activity.
Clinical trial identification
NCT03210441.
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Alfredo Berruti.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.