Nutritional assessment among patients with cervical cancer and controls

The present study aims to acquire an insight into the nutrition of cervical cancer patients, to assess food consumption pattern in patients and controls, to identify assess dietary deficiencies in women recently diagnosed with cervical cancer compared to controls, and to investigate dietary changes during treatment. This study was conducted among 65 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 170 controls, at the Division of Gynecological Oncology of the University of Debrecen, in Hungary. The authors used the food frequency questionnaire and the three-day diet record to assess nutrition. Based on the results, the consumption frequency of vegetables and legumes was significantly lower among the cases. Patients' dietary intake of vitamin D, C, and folate was significantly lower at the time of diagnosis, compared to controls. Nutrient intake is similarly insufficient among patients during the treatment. The present results show nutritional problems among cervical cancer patients and further research is required.