NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF BREAST CANCER PATIENTS ATTENDING THE CHEMOTHERAPY

The present study was carried out " Nutritional status of breast cancer patients attending the chemotherapy " with the objectives to assess the nutrient intake, anthropometric and clinical assessment of the breast cancer patients. A cross section survey which was conducted on a sample of 184 patients. The anthropometric measurements (Height, Weight and BMI) and Dietary intake (24 hours dietary recall method) was recorded and calculated using food composition table compared with RDA (ICMR, 2010). The result shows that 100 per cent patients were having lump nodes and swelling, 65 per cent experiencing change in shape, 11.95 per cent difference in nipple, 61.95 per cent unusual discharge, 57.04 per cent rashes on their skin and 18.47 per cent pain in breast .It was found that the mean daily intakes of protein, fiber, calcium, iron and vitamins were more and energy, carbohydrate and fat were less than ICMR, RDA value of normal woman. BMI of the respondents was observed before chemotherapy which indicated 1.08 per cent underweight, 34.81 per cent normal weight, 31.0 per cent overweight, 15.23 per cent grade I obese, 16.30 per cent grade II obese and 1.63 per cent grade III obese whereas after chemotherapy, 12.5 per cent underweight, 17.93 per cent normal weight, 36.99 per cent overweight, 15.23 per cent Grade I obese and 17.4 per cent Grade II obese were recorded.