Prospective study of the effects of adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy on taste function and food hedonics.

Abstract

e20536 Background: "Taste changes" are commonly reported by people receiving chemotherapy. It is unclear to what extent this relates to altered taste function or changes to other aspects of the eating and drinking experience such as food liking or appetite. Methods: Women (n = 52) prescribed adjuvant chemotherapy underwent testing of taste perception, appetite and food liking before, during and after chemotherapy. Taste sensitivity was measured by correct or incorrect identification of prototypical tastants sweet, salt, sour, bitter and umami. Perceived intensity of each tastant was measured on a 10cm Visual Analogue Scale. Liking of standard sweet and savory foods was measured on the 9-poi..