Consumption of Antioxidant Vitamins by Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy Treatment in the City of Pelotas-RS

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, and the South region of Brazil shows one of the highest rates in the country: it affects more than 70 per 100,000 women. Objective: To evaluate the intake of antioxidant vitamins by women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy and to verify the need to adequate their consumption. Method: Cross-sectional study including patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy in the Oncology Department of the Teaching Hospital of Federal University of Pelotas, assisted during the period from May to December of 2012. The dietary intake of patients was assessed by a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: The sample consisted of 23 women, 78.3% adults and 21.7% elderly. The average age was 56,91± ― 12.25 years old. About 43% of the sample did not reach the recommended intake rate of Vitamin A, although the average was higher than recommended. Concerning Vitamin C, all women reached the recommended intake rate, while no one consumed the minimum amount of vitamin E. Conclusion: It was observed that there is a decreased intake of vitamin E by all patients, and a significant number of women with low intake of vitamin A. Those are important dietary antioxidant that can help neutralizing the pro-oxidative disease profile. There’s a perceived need for nutrition counseling in order to adjust the consumption of antioxidant vitamins in their diet, aiming to assist those patients in the treatment and to improve their nutritional status.