State of knowledge on cancer diets of breast cancer patients at the beginning of medical rehabilitation

Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: September 30, 2013 | Revision accepted: May 15, 2014

Introduction

Cancer patients often try to find the cause of their disease or to influence the course of their disease in various ways [1, 2]. A literature search on nutrition and cancer leads to so-called “cancer diets” - also known as “anti-cancer diets”. These are special diets that are intended to prevent cancer (primary prevention), to support recovery or to cure cancer (secondary and tertiary prevention). On the other hand, there is not yet any scientific proof that any cancer diet is effective [1–4]. Indeed, these diets can trigger complications or be harmful to health [1, 5, 6].

In general, alternative and complementary medicine - including special nutrition - are an important issue for cancer survivors [7]. It has been estimated in the international literature that up to 75 % of patients may use them [8]. In particular, breast cancer patients require comprehensive information about nutrition during rehabilitation [9]. There is currently no information on how familiar patients with breast cancer in rehabilitation are with cancer diets, or how often they use them.

Summary

There is no scientific proof that so-called “cancer diets” are effective. 1,111 rehabilitation patients with the diagnosis of breast cancer were surveyed. 16.6 % reported that they were familiar with at least one cancer diet and 2.0 % reported that they had already tried out one of these diets. They had mostly heard about cancer diets from acquaintances or from the print media. In comparison with controls, persons familiar with a cancer diet were more likely to have a higher school leaving certificate and to regard healthy nutrition as important. As acquaintances and print media were given as sources of information, it is important to focus on explanation and transmission of current knowledge during rehabilitation.

Keywords: diet, cancer diet, breast cancer, rehabilitation

Full text PDF (free access)