Dietary intervention as adjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients — a feasibility study

Abstract

To evaluate the feasibility of using a low-fat diet (i.e. 20-25% of energy (E%) as fat) as a component of adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients, 240 females aged 50-65 years and operated for a stage I-II breast cancer were entered into a randomized study. The intervention group (n = 121) was to reduce dietary fat intake to 20-25 E% and to increase the intake of carbohydrates. Dietary counselling complemented other adjuvant treatments and the patients were followed for two years. No dietary advice was given to patients in the control group (n = 119). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of base-line nutrient intake except for higher energy intake in the control group (p less than 0.05). Only 52% of the patients in the intervention group followed through with the dietary regimen for two years, and 89% of the patients in the control group had a two-year follow-up. Energy intake decreased in both groups after two years, and the difference between the two groups remained (p less than 0.01). Total fat intake decreased from 36.2 E% to 22.2 E% after one year in the intervention group and remained at that level after two years. Total fat intake in the control group decreased by 3.6 E% after two years. The low compliance raises concern about the protocol design. The study nevertheless indicates that a long-term reduction of dietary fat intake can be implemented in breast cancer patients.

Nutritional Training Increases Long-term Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Women with Early Breast Cancer – A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…However, the initial intensive training during rehabilitation appears to be the key factor in changing eating habits. This corresponds to the observations of others, who also observed long-term adherence to initial counseling in studies aiming at low-fat and/or high-FV eating patterns [22,26,[31][32][33].…”

Lived experience of dietary change among Chinese colorectal cancer survivors in Hong Kong: A qualitative study

“…The adherence to treatment behaviours can be explained by the reactions of gaining back a sense of control in a powerless sick condition. 27 All the above findings provide a deepened understanding on how Chinese culture drives CRC survivors’ behaviours and highlight the importance of designing interventions that are aligned with culturally compatible beliefs.…”

Dramatic dietary fat reduction is feasible for breast cancer patients: Results of the randomised study, WINS (UK) – Stage 1

“…Trials from Canada [14], the USA[2] [15] and Norway [16]indicatethat a dramatic reduction in dietary fat intake is feasible, both in women with breast disease and in those at increased risk, butthe feasibilityof such a diet hadnot been demonstrated in UK patients with breast cancer.…”