Characterization of the evolution of the nutritional condition of patients with breast cancer on chemotherapy

Introduction: breast cancer is common in women, and it is usually treated with chemotherapy. It has been asserted that this treatment affects nutritional condition because it produces a gastrointestinal symptomatology and modifies food consumption. Objective: characterize the nutritional condition in women with breast cancer treated with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (AC). Materials and methods: this study used a prospective, longitudinal design with 25 patients during three continuous cycles of chemotherapy. Food intake and anthropometrical indicators of nutritional status were measured before the treatment and at the beginning of each cycle, and gastrointestinal effects were evaluated weekly. Results: during chemotherapy the consumption of meats, desserts, and bakery products diminished, and piece size and consumption of cheese, fruits, and rice decreased. 40% of women had a nor- mal weight and 40% were overweight before and during treatment. The most frequent gastrointestinal effects were xerostomia (61%) and nausea (55%) 56% of patients presented changes in smell and 47% in taste. the rejected foods were beef, fish, milk, and yogurt. there was a statistically significant association between alterations in smell and taste and food aversion but there was no association between aversions and decreased food intake. Conclusions: the short-term treatment with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide did not produce changes in body weight during chemotherapy and, despite gastrointestinal effects; food intake was not affected in a significant way