Eating Habits and Preferences of Polish Women Undergoing Treatment for Breast Cancer

Abstract

Objective:The objective of the study is the assessment of the nutrition as well as the eating habits and preferences of Polish women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Material and methods: The study included women undergoing breast cancer treatment aged over 50 years. Data were collected on 112 respondents, residents of a large city, for whom the average time elapsed since the completion of treatment was 5 years. Their eating habits and preferences were determined on the basis of the frequency of consumption of products with potentially beneficial and adverse effects on health, which made it possible to determine the pro-Healthy Diet Index-10 (pHDI-10) and non-Healthy Diet . The intensity of properties beneficially and adversely affecting health was assessed in three intervals: small, moderate, and large. On the basis of the BMI index persons with normal body proportions were identified as well as those above the norm. The effect of lifestyle and socioeconomic status on pHDI-10 and nHDI-14 was determined. Results: More than half of the studied women had normal body weight and 39% were overweight. One in three women was characterised by a low level of physical activity. The participants of the study followed diets with a low intensity of unhealthy properties with a weak influence of protective properties of nutrition. A significant, adverse effect of the nutritional knowledge and health self-assessment on pro-Healthy Diet Index-10 and non-Healthy Diet Index-14 was demonstrated. Bad habits related to lifestyle (excessive energy consumption/overweight, smoking cigarettes in the past) contributed to overconsumption of unhealthy products/dishes. Conclusion: The demonstrated dietary mistakes indicate that actions aiming to promote benefits of undertaking behaviour beneficial for health should also be carried out among women with breast cancer diagnosis after the completion of treatment.

Does the consumption of pasta, rice and groats affect the risk of cancer of women’s reproductive organs and breast?

“…Therefore, patients should be encouraged to consume wholegrain products, with preventive actions aimed at changing eating behaviours undertaken, as these products prevent metabolic diseases and cancer. Research by Demuth et al [36] indicate that prophylactic measures against cancer are necessary, both in women diag-nosed with breast cancer and after completed treatment. The study designed to assess the diet and eating habits of Polish women over 50 years of age undergoing breast cancer treatment showed that the eating habits and respondents' preferences regarding compliance with the 'healthy' and 'unhealthy dietary index' (which were determined on the basis of the FFQ questionnaire) were unsatisfactory [36].…”

Validity of a 98-item Food Frequency Questionnaire for the Japan Nurses’ Health Study

“…Previous studies have shown a relationship between diet and disease, and it is important to understand the foods and nutrients that women consume, as well as their dietary habits, to improve their health. [4][5][6][7] Various dietary survey methods are used to determine participantsʼ food intake. Some dietary survey methods measure actual food intake, such as 24-hour food recalls and diet records, while others collect habitual food intake data, such as food intake frequency questionnaires and food history questionnaires.…”

Mulberry leaf polysaccharide extracted by response surface methodolog suppresses the proliferation, invasion and migration of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

“…Its effect was to kill tumor cells with chemical/natural compounds, but its effect was systemic and it exposed a wide range of side effects (Liu et al, 2021). Therefore, some researchers have proposed to develop creative eating habits with the same therapeutic properties as the reference drug, but with fewer systemic side effects to prevent and limit the malignant transformation of tumors (Demuth & Czerniak, 2019;Rafiq et al, 2018;Gaspar-Pintiliescu et al;, thereby improving the quality of life of breast cancer patients.…”