Qualidade de vida, estado nutricional e consumo alimentar de mulheres com câncer de mama em tratamento quimioterápico

Abstract

Objective: To assess the quality of life, nutritional status and food consumption of women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study conducted with 70 women aged 30 to 59 years in a hospital in Rio Grande do Sul from May to October 2015. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQ- C30) was applied. The anthropometric variables collected were: current weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference and triceps skinfold. Food consumption was assessed using the 24-hour dietary recall. Results: Overweight and obesity were found in 37.1% and 37% of the women, respectively, according to body mass index. The average intake of calories, carbohydrate, lipids, cholesterol, fibers, calcium and iron was significantly lower than the recommended, particularly with regard to nutrients such as fibers (91.4% of the cases), calcium (87.7% of the cases) and iron (over 90% of the cases). However, the average intake of proteins (72.9% of the cases > 15% of TC) and vitamin C (over 50% of the cases) was higher than the recommended. Conclusion: The quality of life of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy was considered low and they presented a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. In addition, the intake of protein and vitamin C was higher than the recommended while the intake of calories, carbohydrates, lipids, cholesterol, fiber, calcium and iron was lower than the recommended. There was no significant association between quality of life and nutritional status.