The Role of Antioxidants, Macronutrients, and Lifestyle Modifications in Breast Cancer Patients in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Nutrition and physical activity are important components of supportive care and long-term health among people affected by breast cancer. However, cross-sectional dietary surveys cannot establish that individual antioxidants or macronutrients prevent cancer progression or improve treatment outcomes. Objective: To describe antioxidant, macronutrient, and lifestyle-related practices and beliefs among women recruited from breast-cancer care settings in Lahore and to examine selected associations with supplement use and family history. Methods: A cross-sectional survey included 150 women aged 25–65 years recruited purposively from healthcare settings in Lahore. A Food Frequency Questionnaire and breast-cancer-risk questionnaire assessed antioxidant intake, macronutrient-related dietary practices, supplement use, family history, and health-related beliefs. Results: Mean age was 46.95±10.53 years. Fifty-seven participants reported dietary-supplement use and 93 did not. Vitamin C was the most frequently reported antioxidant source. Awareness of a possible role of antioxidants in cancer prevention was reported by 36/57 supplement users and 44/93 non-users (p=0.059). Belief that an antioxidant-rich diet could lower breast-cancer risk was reported by 46/57 versus 62/93 participants, respectively (p=0.063). Macronutrient awareness was not significantly related to the reported macronutrient category (p=0.228). Conclusion: The study describes nutrition-related knowledge, beliefs, and dietary behaviors but does not demonstrate that antioxidant supplementation, macronutrient modification, or lifestyle change prevents recurrence or improves breast-cancer treatment outcomes.