PD789 - ONCO MULTI SUPPORT: IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WITH LYMPHEDEMA

PD789

ONCO MULTI SUPPORT: IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WITH LYMPHEDEMA

R.-E. Calescu^1,*, R. R. Barzu², L. F. Rebegea³, D. P. Plaiasu², C. Nechifor⁴, A. Tanasache⁵

¹Medical Oncology, Coltea Clinic Hospital, ²Oncology and Radiotherapy Center, Oncology Institute, Bucharest, ³Oncology and Radiotherapy Center, Sfantul Andrei Clincal Hospital, Galati, ⁴Oncology and Radiotherapy Center, Oncology Institute, Iasi, ⁵Oncology and Radiotherapy Center, Clinic Hospital, Bacau, Romania

 

Rationale: Onco Multi Support program is a volunteer-led initiative that improves Qol in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema by delivering nutrition, psychology, physical therapy and lymphedema management.^1-2

Methods: 110 non-metastatic patients were included. Age range was 40–70 years, presenting upper-limb lymphedema and a of BMI ≥25 kg/m².³
During 2023-2025, they received dietary counseling with personalized meal plans, physical exercise and lymphatic therapy.^1-4
Outcomes were BMI improvement, increasing physical resistance, change in affected limb volume, morphofunctional parameters, and dietary intake.

Results: 73 patients completed the intervention and were included in the final analysis, with a drop-out of 37 participants. BMI decreased by −2.1 ± 1.1 kg/m², fat mass reduction of −3.9 ± 2.4 kg, a change in extracellular water of −0.8 ± 0.5 L and a reduction in affected limb volume of −6.8% (IQR −3.2 to −10.5%). 57 of 73 patients (78%) achieved stabilization or improvement.These findings align with prior evidence confirming the safety and effectiveness of structured lifestyle interventions for this population.⁴

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Conclusion: Personalized dietary interventions improved Qol for breast cancer survivors with lymphedema, highlighting the importance of nutrition care into survivorship pathways.

 

References: 1. Arends J, Bachmann P, Baracos V, et al. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical nutrition in cancer. Clin Nutr.

2021;40(5):2898–2913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2021.02.005

2. World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research. Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Breast

Cancer Survivors. 2018.

3. Fuchs J, Keilani M, Mielcarek P, et al. Obesity has been identified as a significant risk factor in breast cancer outcomes. PMC8279288.

4. Ruiz-Molina Y, et al. Comprehensive lifestyle intervention in overweight women with breast cancer–related lymphedema. Nutrients. 2025;17:2768. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172768

Disclosure of Interest: None declared