A Correlational Study on Taste Alterations and Quality of Life Among Cancer Patients

Abstract Introduction One of the major problems faced by world today is cancer. Cancer an abnormal growth cells. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are treatment regimen for Prolonged use chemotherapy drugs can cause different side effects such as alopecia, weight loss, sexual dysfunction, mood swings, most important one taste alterations. The aim study to determine alterations (TAs) quality life (QOL) among cancer patients who have undergone three cycles chemotherapy. Methods approach used descriptive survey design. sample comprised 62 selected convenient sampling. tool was baseline proforma, University Washington Quality Life (UW-QOL) questionnaire version 4.1, chemotherapy-induced alteration scale (CiTAS). Results majority belonged age group 41 50 years (37.09%) whom 40% were females. not diagnosed with any other disease (91.9%). Around 80.6% reported sore mouth, out 45.2% maintained oral care brushing teeth. commonly seen type tumor head neck (37.1%) whereas genitourinary least (3.2%). had stage II (53.2%) about 62% them did metastasis. There significant association demographic variables QOL (sore care, type). also a variable TAs, (oral type) there negative correlation between TAs QOL. Conclusion Identification severity TA helps in providing alternative measures improve buds which may help improving