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Chemosensory Science in the Context of Cancer Treatment: Implications for Patient Care

  • Published:
Chemosensory Perception

Abstract

Introduction

This collaborative commentary brings together both clinical and sensory science perspectives in an effort to explain the mechanisms of cancer treatment and the ensuing implications for the sensorium.

Strategy

This paper makes the distinction between food hedonics and true chemosensory effects in the cancer context and describes the adverse effects cancer and its treatment have on the eating and drinking experience, including gastronomic, nutritional and emotional implications. Results from a prospective breast cancer cohort study, conducted by an interdisciplinary team of nurses, medical oncologists, dietitians and sensory science researchers shed new light on specific sensory symptomatology associated with chemotherapy treatment and the implications this has for informing reliable pre-treatment patient education.

Findings

Two conceptual models are posed as frameworks for better understanding the determinants and consequences of altered eating and drinking experiences during chemotherapy, as well as the link between patient-reported symptoms and chemosensory or hedonic disturbances.

Discussion

Application of evidence of cancer treatment and its sensory effects in the patient treatment context continues to be a challenge for cancer clinicians, especially where standardised testing of taste and smell function are not able to be practically administered.

Conclusions

Recommendations are made for further research and practice pursuits to underpin improved food enjoyment and dietary quality throughout the cancer trajectory. Clinician education of sensory science is also encouraged.

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Compliance with Ethics Requirements

Conflict of Interest

Anna Boltong declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Russell Keast declares that he has no conflict of interest.

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008 (5). Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study undertaken by Boltong and Keast.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia

    Anna Boltong

  2. Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Anna Boltong

  3. Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Anna Boltong

  4. Centre for Advanced Sensory Science, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia

    Russell Keast

Authors
  1. Anna Boltong
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  2. Russell Keast
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Correspondence to Anna Boltong.

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Boltong, A., Keast, R. Chemosensory Science in the Context of Cancer Treatment: Implications for Patient Care. Chem. Percept. 8, 117–125 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12078-015-9180-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12078-015-9180-0

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