Significant changes in dietary intake and physical activity after breast cancer diagnosis in a Chinese breast cancer cohort study

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of cancer can motivate survivors to modify lifestyles, typically involving diet and physical activity. Few data have reported pre- and postdiagnostic lifestyle habits in Chinese population. Methods: In an on-going prospective cohort study which involved 1462 Chinese women with early-stage breast cancer, we evaluated dietary intake and lifestyle factors pre- and post- breast cancer diagnosis. Validated food frequency questionnaires were used to evaluate dietary intake. Leisure time physical activity was measured by amodified Chinese Baecke questionnaire. This report compared changes of dietary intake and physical activity between 12 months before and 18 months after diagnosis of breast cancer. Results: Intake of whole grains, refined grains, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and nuts increased significantly post-diagnosis (Range, 54%-72% increase; P<0.001, each; Table). Conversely, after diagnosis consumption of red meat, processed meat, poultry, dairy products, soy, sugar drinks, and coffee significantly decreased (Range, 32%-63% decrease; P<0.001, each). The level of physical activity (MET-hour per week) postdiagnosis was significantly increased (median, 0.75 vs. 5.25; P<0.001), with 58% of patients became more physically active. However, the proportion of women that met the WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention recommendations about physical activity (10 METhour per week) was still low, only 21% women met at pre-diagnosis, increasing to 34% at post-diagnosis. Conclusions: In this cohort study, Chinese breast cancer patients reported significant changes in dietary intake and increased physical activity level and a higher proportion met the WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention recommendations after cancer diagnosis. These findings provided crucial information on lifestyle behaviors in Chinese breast cancer survivors, and provided information to healthcare professionals on survivors' health and quality of life. (Table Presented).