Abstract 83: The Perceived Relationship Between Nutrition and Cancer Among Breast Cancer Patients in Northern Tanzania

Abstract

Purpose: Modifiable risk factors, including nutrition, are of particular interest in cancer research. There are limited studies establishing associations between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the nutritional practices and perceptions of nutrition and cancer among breast cancer patients in northern Tanzania. Methods: Participants with confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer were identified in an outpatient setting and included in a larger qualitative study regarding patient breast cancer experiences and reasons for advanced stage at time of diagnosis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by trained interviewers and transcribed verbatim, then translated from Swahili to English. Thematic coding using a grounded theory approach was done by two independent researchers. Results: Twenty patients (10 rural and 10 urban) participated in the interviews. The average age was 56; 11 (55%) completed primary education, 10 (50%) were unemployed, and 5 (25%) were married. Fourteen (70%) of the patients had stage 4 breast cancer, 3 (15%) had stage 3, and 3 (15%) had stage 2. Food access varied with 6 (30%) patients identifying as farmers or growing up on coffee plantations. Within this group, two-thirds mentioned pesticide use. Cancer causes perceived by patients included animal products (n = 5, 25%), cooking oil and fried food (n = 5, 25%), toxins or chemicals in food (n = 6, 30%), alcohol use (n = 5, 25%), smoking (n = 2, 10%), and being overweight/obese (n = 1, 5%). After receiving the cancer diagnosis, 55% (n = 11) modified their diet: decreased or ceased alcohol intake (n = 4, 20%), stopped consuming soda (n = 2, 10%), prepared food by boiling instead of frying (n = 2, 10%), and increased vegetable intake (n = 3, 15%). Conclusions: Many participants perceived cancer to be caused by dietary factors with some correctly identifying risk factors including smoking, alcohol use, and being overweight/obese. These beliefs were impactful enough to lead many to change their dietary habits after cancer diagnosis. Further research is needed to elucidate the impact of dietary habits on cancer outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa and provide educational interventions to promote healthier lifestyles in patients. Citation Format: Garrett Barnes, Sindhu Dwarampudi, Elizabeth Msoka-Bright, Lily Gutnik. The Perceived Relationship Between Nutrition and Cancer Among Breast Cancer Patients in Northern Tanzania [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Closing the Research-to-Implementation Gap; 2023 Apr 4-6. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 83.