Effects of Nutrition Intervention on Nutritional Status, Physical Activity and Life Quality of Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Yang Feili Lo , Hsiao‐Hsuan Li , Man‐Ting Lin 
Published: November 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women. Advances in treatment improved patient survival. Research indicated that dietary intervention and exercise had a positive effect on BC patients. After cancer treatment, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and body weight may prevent recurrence and development of other chronic diseases in BC women. In Taiwan, healthy eating implementation has been poor among BC survivors, who were frequently confused by diet and lifestyle adjustment. Therefore, strategic design of nutrition education for BC survivors is very important. However long‐term diet and lifestyle guidelines for BC patients upon finishing their therapy are not available in Taiwan. Therefore, the aims of this study were to design a nutrition education program and to evaluate the effects of nutrition intervention on nutritional status, physical activity and quality of life in BC patients after finishing their therapy. Thirty four eligible BC survivors were recruited and assigned to control or intervention group. The subjects in control group were provided with written materials, whereas those of intervention group were provided with individualized nutrition counseling, nutrition education program and invited into a network group (LINE) through mobile device during the 14 weeks of study. The pre‐test, post‐test and follow‐up test were conducted 1 week prior to, 1 wk after and 1 mo after the study. The results showed our education program was feasible. Overall diet quality and compliance in intervention group were better compared to control group. Control group had difficulties in reaching the dietary recommended intakes without taking dietary supplements, and had the risk of repeatedly consuming excessive amount of supplements. Many nutrient intakes of control subjects who needed to loss weight failed to meet DRIs even with the consumption of health/functional foods. Compared with the control group, subjects of intervention group who needed to maintain weight had significantly higher intakes of dietary fiber, zinc, vitamin B2, vegetable and fruits. Subjects of intervention group who needed to loss weight had significantly higher intake of vitamin E. Study intervention assisted all subjects to maintain their moderate and vigorous physical activity to more than 150 minutes per week. Subjects of intervention group had significantly decreased body fat %, overall subcutaneous fat %, increased overall muscle mass %, improved limbs and trunk body composition after intervention. The body composition of control subjects did not change. PG‐SGA scores of both groups decreased significantly 1 month after the intervention. At the end of intervention, QoL of intervention group did not. In conclusion, the nutrition education and counseling designed in this study had positive impact to BC survivors and was useful for participants in improving their diet quality, physical activity and body composition.

Support or Funding Information

Chen Yung & Fu Jen Breast Cancer Foundation