Sep 5, 2026
2:00 PM12:00 PM
ePoster display
PD853 - DIETARY PRACTICES AMONG BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS: THE IMPACT OF INFORMAL SOCIAL INFLUENCE
PD853
DIETARY PRACTICES AMONG BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS: THE IMPACT OF INFORMAL SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Z. Skalli1,*, S. Harbaj2, K. Nouni1, A. Lachgar1, H. ElKacemi1, T. Kebdani1, K. Hassouni1
1National Oncology Institute of Rabat, 2national institute of oncologie rabat, rabat, Morocco
Rationale: Breast cancer survivors frequently adopt unsupervised dietary modifications, often guided by informal sources rather than evidence-based nutritional guidance. These practices may compromise nutritional status and recovery.
This study aimed to characterize dietary behaviors and their sources of influence among breast cancer patients followed in a radiotherapy department.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among 51 non-metastatic breast cancer survivors attending radiotherapy follow-up. Dietary habits, food restrictions, and sources of nutritional information were systematically collected through structured clinical interviews.
Data were analyzed descriptively to identify dominant patterns of dietary behavior.
Results: The cohort had a mean age of 57 ± 12 years; molecular subtypes were Luminal in 74%, HER2 positive in 8%, and triple-negative in 18%.
Dietary modifications were highly prevalent ; 53% of patients avoided dairy products, 37% followed a vegetarian diet, and 25% reported strict sugar and carbohydrate restriction, with an additional 47% applying partial restriction, meaning that 72% of patients modified their sugar intake to some degree.
These practices were largely guided by informal sources ; 65% citing family or friends and 59% social media as their main advisors.
Formal nutritional counseling from a dietitian or oncology team was rarely reported.
Conclusion: These findings reveal a critical gap in nutritional care within oncology follow-up, highlighting the importance of early, evidence-based nutritional counseling to support optimal nutrition and recovery, and overall survivorship well-being.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared