Coping with the burden of taste alteration, a toxicity of taxane-based chemotherapy.

e19531 Background: Taste alteration is a poorly recognized toxicity of chemotherapy, with limited research. This study examined the experience of taste alteration in female breast cancer patients treated with taxane chemotherapy. We explored the self-management coping strategies utilized by patients. Methods: A purposive sample of 25 patients currently receiving docetaxel or paclitaxel or within six months of having completed treatment was recruited. This exploratory, descriptive study utilized semi-structured interviews and patient-level data from the electronic medical record. Interview data were analyzed with the constant comparative method. Descriptive statistics were used for patient-level data. Results: Participants were 24-60 years of age, mean 46. Ten patients received docetaxel and 15 received paclitaxel. Of all side effects reported from taxanes, the most common was taste alteration (7 (70%) docetaxel patients, 3 (20%) paclitaxel patients). Taste alteration was described as a metallic taste, bad taste, weird taste, or lack of taste. Taste alteration affected normal or routine behaviors in that they chose not to eat as much, ate on an irregular schedule, and lost interest in preparing meals for themselves and/or their family. Women adopted new behaviors to deal with the taste alteration and its effect, including the use of plastic silverware, eating strongly flavored foods, honoring specific food cravings, eating candy before meals, cutting food with lemon, drinking sweetened drinks, drinking from a straw, brushing their teeth and tongue before meals, and using baking soda and salt or antibacterial mouthwash. The majority (59%) of patients gained weight during taxane treatment (mean = 2.7 lbs; range = 1-12.5 lbs). There was insufficient power to detect a difference in weight gain by taste alteration status. Conclusions: Taste alteration affects breast cancer patients’ normal routine, but they develop management strategies to deal with the effect. However, given the association of obesity with poor treatment outcomes, the potential for increased caloric consumption associated with some coping strategies is cause for concern, and further studies are warranted for the development of appropriate interventions.