Reviewer ’s report  
Title: Dietary pattern and health -related quality of life among breast cancer survivors  
 
Version: 0 Date: 19 Jun 2017  
 
Reviewer: Maureen A. Murtaugh  
 
Reviewer's report:  
This is an interest ing study of diet and quality of life after breast cancer.  In general, the methods 
are sound, however, this reviewer has a couple of overall concerns. First, the authors do many 
comparisons, but do not adjust for multiple comparisons.  
 
Second, it's not cl ear that 3 days is enough to establish a "dietary pattern".  As a result, it seems 
they overstate the results a bit.  The two dietary patterns accounted for little of variation in diet < 
5%, there is no overall difference in quality of life.   
 
Consider in dicating significance by a symbol (e.g. *) or shading a cell in the table instead of 2 
additional columns of numbers where tables are so full of numbers.  
 
Page 12 line 8 —the western diet was associated with more constipation in stage 1 survivors, I 
don't u nderstand the question of whether western diet can reduce constipation here.  
 
An important limitation of the work is not addressed, women with higher quality of life may 
have more physical and emotional resources to eat a healthier diet.  This is important, in 
particular, because it is a cross -sectional study.  
 
The discussion wande rs into many areas not relevant to the data in this study, mortality from 
cancer, mortality from breast cancer, survivorship as an outcome.  The discussion should focus 
more on QOL.  
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
Yes 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
Yes 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
Yes 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an addition al statistical review is recommended, please speci fy what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
I am able to assess the statistics  
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
Needs some language corrections before being published  
Declaration of competing interests  
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