OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to examine the dietary habits of patients diagnosed with breast cancer, the effects of chemotherapy on nutritional status and the weight of risk factors.

METHODS: Quantitative, cross-sectional and follow-up studies were performed on patients aged between 35-74 years, diagnosed with breast cancer within five years (n=226) selected with purposeful sampling. Nutritional status was assessed following the first, fifth and tenth chemotherapy sessions (n=3). Our study was carried out at the Department of Oncology and Oncotherapy, University of Pécs in 2017. The questionnaire contained items relating to socio-demographic data, nutritional status and risk factors (Lifestyle Factor Index); a nutritional diary analysis was also performed (n=15). Besides descriptive statistical analysis, χ-test, Student’s T-test, ANOVA were carried out using SPSS programme (p<0.05).

RESULTS: Mean age was 55.3 years. Overweight was significantly more prominent in patients aged 55-65 years (37.9%; p=0.023), among those aged over 66 years (36.2%) and among patients having completed 8 years of primary school (42,2%; p=0.039).Based on the analysis of nutrition diaries, the average energy intake was low (1496kcal). Protein intake was nearly adequate (60.8g; 17.7%), carbohydrate intake was low (206.9g; 47.5%), while fat consumption was significantly higher (73.6g, 48.2%). During chemotherapy, BMI significantly decreased between the first and fifth (29kg/mvs. 27.6kg/m; p=0.007) and between the fifth and tenth therapy sessions (27.6kg/mvs. 26.2kg/m; p=0.010). The lifestyle factor index focuses on the 11 main risk factors of breast cancer, its average was exactly 7.5±1.2, which means a medium risk.

CONCLUSIONS: The majority of respondents did not change their dietary habits, the main reason for which was found to be the price of basic foods. The majority of females were obese, the level of physical activity was found to be low. The proportion of macro-nutrients of the daily energy intake was inadequate.