Assessment of Dietary Intake in Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for the breast cancer in women. Appetite, diet and the nutritional nutrients may change when patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. This Cross-sectional hospital based study was carried out to assess the dietary intake and the effects of chemotherapy dosage on the nutritional status of 276 females who were diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing chemotherapy in Radiation and Isotopes Center Khartoum (RICK). The participants in this study were selected randomly. Data was collected using questionnaire and 24 hour recall that were filled and administered by the researcher through interviews with breast cancer patients. The collected data was analyzed using computerized methods of analysis (SPSS) and (Nutri-survey 2007). The results indicated that, the majority of participants in the present study were lived in Khartoum state, their age varied between 30-50 years old. The 24 hours recall demonstrated that energy intake among the participants was lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). The intake of fat, cholesterol, and fiber among the participants was also lower than the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), while intake of carbohydrates and protein among them was more than the RDA. The intake of vitamins (A, E, C) was less than RDA. The intake of B vitamin among the participants, including B1, B2, B6 and folic acid was less than RDA. Minerals intake which included Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc, was less than the RDA, while the intake of phosphorus and iron was more than RDA. Significant correlations was found between energy intake (p=0.001), carbohydrate intake (p=0.024), B2 intake (p=0.007), (zinc intake (p=0.027) and magnesium intake (p=0.002) with chemotherapy dosage among the participants. The study recommended that, early nutrition interventions and education play an important role in improving the nutrition status and quality of life of breast cancer patients.