Consumo alimentar de pacientes com câncer de mama acompanhados em um centro de oncologia em Salvador, Bahia

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a disease caused by the unbalanced growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue. For the treatment of this pathology, support must be multidisciplinary, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the patient's quality of life. Thus, nutritional monitoring stands out as indispensable in this care, to maintain an adequate nutritional status and guide the patient regarding food choices. Objective: To describe the nutritional status and consumption of in natura, minimally processed, processed and ultra-processed foods of patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. Methodology: This is an observational field study, with a quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive approach, carried out in an oncology center located in Salvador (BA). Forty-four participants diagnosed with breast cancer were included in this study. To assess the nutritional status, the weight and height of the patients were measured with subsequent calculation of the Body Mass Index (BMI). Then, a questionnaire was applied with questions related to the characterization of the sample and food frequency. Results: Most participants were overweight and obese (70%), with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m². As for food frequency, it was found that in natura or minimally processed foods were consumed more regularly. Processed and ultra-processed foods had a low intake frequency. Conclusion: The data showed inadequate nutritional status of the participants, even in the face of appropriate qualitative food consumption. This denotes the importance of dietary interventions to quantitatively adjust consumption and improve the nutritional status of patients.