Abstract

SELF-CARE PRACTICES IN TASTE AND SMELL ALTERATION AMONG PATIENTS ON CHEMOTHERAPY

Anooja Antony* and Sheela Pavithran

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Abstract

Background: Taste and smell alteration is one of the significant problems of chemotherapy which has no single solution that suits everyone. This study explored the self-care practices adopted by the patients who receive chemotherapy. Studies have investigated strategies which patients personally initiate to enable them to cope with this symptom. Methods: The present study was undertaken among 100 patients receiving cancer chemotherapy selected by convenience sampling form a Cancer Institute in Kerala. The study aimed at identifying the commonly adopted self-care practices in patients receiving chemotherapy to manage taste and smell alterations. Data were collected using self-developed questionnaire on self-care practices. The most commonly adopted self-care practices were nibbling of moist fruits (71%) such as berries or lemon to reduce metallic taste. Other practices were avoiding strong smelling foods (65%), removing oneself from food preparation areas (43%), eat small and frequent meals (28%) and asking family or friends to prepare food (18%). Conclusion: The study would enable the health team members to view taste and smell alteration as a serious issue of chemotherapy. The issue being unique to the individual, place emphasize on individualized self-care practice. Nurses need to identify, minimize, attenuate the treatment related problem and implement management strategies for taste and smell alteration.

Keywords: Self-care, Self-care practices, chemotherapy, taste and smell alteration.