title: The effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) as supplementation on quality of life (QOL) among breast cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst Malaysian women. Both the disease and its treatment can disrupt the lives of the woman and adversely affect all aspects of life and thus can alter a woman's quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on the quality of life (QOL) of patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study of breast cancer patients admitted into the Oncology Unit of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. The sample consisted of 60 patients with stage III and IV breast cancer allocated to either an intervention group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30) using a simple random table. QOL was evaluated from the first cycle of chemotherapy to the sixth cycle, and data were collected using a validated Bahasa Malaysia version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its breast-specific module (QLQ-BR 23).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of breast cancer patients was 50.2 (SD = 13.5) years. There were significant mean score differences for functioning and global QOL between groups (α < 0.01). The intervention group also had better scores for symptoms including fatigue, dyspnea, sleep difficulties, and loss of appetite compared to the control group. Although there are deteriorations for sexual enjoyment, the intervention group exhibited improvement in breast functioning and symptom scores for body image, sexual function, future perspective, breast symptoms, and systemic therapy side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VCO consumption during chemotherapy helped improve the functional status and global QOL of breast cancer patients. In addition, it reduced the symptoms related to side effects of chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Institut Perubatan dan Pergigian Termaju, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam, 13200 Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. lawks@amdi.usm.edu.my.
authors.forename: Kim Sooi
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Nizuwan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Azman
authors.forename: Eshaifol Azam
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Omar
authors.forename: Muhammad Yusri
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Musa
authors.forename: Narazah Mohd
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Yusoff
authors.forename: Siti Amrah
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sulaiman
authors.forename: Nik Hazlina Nik
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Hussain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000074263:Coconut Oil; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; D000074263:Coconut Oil