Life with Breast Cancer – Nutrition during the Relapse-free Stable Stage of Life
- 15.03.2014
- English Articles
- Nadine Bader
- Melanie Billinger
- Katrin Pfeiffer
- Julia Schneider
- Anna Meister
- Sonja Voigt
- Kathrin Kohlenberg-Müller
Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: July 08, 2013 | Revision accepted: December 02, 2013
Introduction
According to the German Centre for Cancer Registry Data at Robert Koch Institute (RKI), breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Germany with about 72,000 incidences per year. Although the age-specific incident rates of breast cancer have increased by about 50 % since 1980, less women die of cancer today compared to 20 years ago [1]. The number of women living with breast cancer after a completed treatment is growing continually. The significant increase in survival rates over the last few years is attributed to early-stage diagnoses and advances in therapy (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) [1].
Nowadays, cancers such as mamma carcinoma are classified as chronic diseases because of the long-term health problems as well as the course and consequences of the diseases associated with it. These are characterised by lasting organ and body dysfunctions as well as obstacles in everyday life [2]. A retrospective cohort study carried out in elderly breast cancer patients showed that cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death in breast cancer patients [3]. Radiotherapy of breast cancer is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease [4].
Summary
The aim of the study was to gather and analyse information on the nutrition of breast cancer survivors in the context of tertiary prevention in order to estimate the specific demand of intervention needed for this increasing population group.
The study was conducted by surveying self-help groups, gynaecological practices and private persons in the German federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse and Saxony. 236 questionnaires were evaluated. 44.5 % of participants were between 60 and 69 years old. 60.6 % of participants were diagnosed more than six years prior to the study. According to participants’ opinion, health-related behaviour and quality of life had improved since completion of treatment. The average BMI was 26.9 ± 5.5 kg/m². 49.6 % of participants had increased their weight by 8.6 ± 6.1 kg. 47.8 % of participants who maintained a balanced diet as well as 68.4 % of women paying less attention to a balanced diet before developing breast cancer had changed their nutrition since completion of treatment. 72.5 % of participants were not offered nutritional advice during and/or after treatment.
The study indicates a high demand for nutritional advice focusing on weight management for breast cancer survivors.
Keywords: cancer survivors, breast cancer, BMI, nutrition, food choice, nutritional advice, weight management
