Impact of chemotherapy treatment on food consumption of cancer patients

Impacto Del Tratamiento De Quimioterapia En El Consumo De Alimentos De Los Pacientes Con Cáncer

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is a CNCD, considered a serious public health problem, given the effects it has on the individual, negatively affecting their eating habits and their QoL. Objective: To evaluate the effect of chemotherapy treatment on the food consumption of cancer patients treated at the High Complexity Care Unit. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study, carried out with 150 patients, which investigated the occurrence of effects of chemotherapy treatment and reduction of food intake through SGA, biochemical analysis and through the application of a questionnaire with socioeconomic and clinical questions. Results: Statistical significance was observed in the associations between the presentation of symptoms in the last two weeks with food intake in the last month, presence of previous illness, general SGA score, PA practice, weight change in the last two weeks and purpose of treatment. Regarding the reduction in food intake, the variables that showed an effect were habitual food intake and general SGA score. As for the presence of anemia, 78.7% of the patients had a positive diagnosis. Conclusion: Results showed a close relationship between the manifestation of symptoms and reduced food intake, emphasizing the need for nutritional monitoring to effect adherence and tolerance to chemotherapy treatment.