Dietary and anthropometric features of breast cancer patients seen in Juiz de Fora-MG, Brazil

Breast cancer is the principal cause of death due to malignancy in Brazilian women, and the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in the female population. Saturated fat-rich diets and increased body mass index (BMI) have been pointed as putative risk factors. Some nutrients have been reported as protective against breast cancer, such as beta-carotene, vitamins C and E and calcium. This study assessed the nutritional status and food consumption of women recently diagnosed with breast cancer assisted in Juiz de Fora-MG, Brazil. In the period from January through November 2008, the study participants were investigated regarding their sociodemographic, reproductive and anthropometric data, physical activity, histopathological diagnosis and past food consumption (with the Food Frequency Questionnaire). All patients referred to two municipal breast cancer reference services were considered eligible, 77 women having been interviewed. Women with relapsing cancer or on neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. The SPSS 8.0 and NutWin (Nutrition Support Program) softwares were used for data analysis. The mean of age was 56.6 years (Standard Deviation= 11.6). Most women had a BMI equal to or higher than 25Kg/m2 (61%), with a higher prevalence of overweight among post-menopausal women (p<0.05). The means of waist circumference and waist-hip ratio were 89.7cm and 0.87, respectively, but the differences were not statistically significant between the groups by menopausal status. The mean caloric intake was 1875.38Kcal (Standard Deviation=657.62). The means of calcium, vitamins A, C and E intake were 625.07mg; 730.31ER; 491.06mg and 3.58ATE, respectively. The study results mostly agree with the literature data about factors associated with breast cancer. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between the investigated factors and breast cancer in Juiz de ForaMG, Brazil.No Brasil, o câncer de mama é a principal causa de morte entre as neoplasias em mulheres e o mais incidente na população feminina. Estudos apontam prováveis fatores de risco para essa patologia, estando entre esses os fatores dietéticos e antropométricos, relacionados ao Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) e à dieta rica em gorduras saturadas. Alguns nutrientes têm sido relatados como fatores protetores contra o câncer de mama, como o beta-caroteno, vitaminas C e E e cálcio. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o estado nutricional e o consumo alimentar de casos incidentes de câncer de mama assistidos em Juiz de Fora-MG. Para tanto, entre janeiro e novembro de 2008, foram coletados dados sociodemográficos, reprodutivos, antropométricos, sobre atividade física e relativos ao laudo anátomopatológico, além de ser aplicado o Questionário de Frequência Alimentar para avaliação do consumo alimentar pregresso. Foram consideradas elegíveis todas as pacientes encaminhadas a dois serviços de referências no diagnóstico e tratamento de câncer no município, sendo entrevistadas 77 mulheres. Foram excluídas do estudo as mulheres com câncer recidivante ou que se submeteram a terapia neoadjuvante. Os dados foram analisados pelos softwares SPSS 8.0 e Programa de Apoio à Nutrição - NutWin. A média de idade foi de 56,6 anos (Desvio-Padrão=11,6). A maioria das mulheres estava com IMC maior ou igual a 25Kg/m2 (61%), sendo que a prevalência de sobrepeso foi maior entre as mulheres na pós-menopausa (p