Nutritional intervention of raisins, dates, and figs for chemotherapy-induced anemia (Pandu) in breast cancer patients

This is a randomized, single blind, controlled clinical study, to assess the effects of nutritional intervention of black raisins, figs and dates in breast cancer female patients undergoing first line chemotherapy for a period of 6 months. The primary objective is to assess hematological; iron specific status as Serum iron, Serum ferritin, Transferrin level or Total Iron Binding Capacity; liver functions and Kidney functions. The secondary outcomes will include Ayurvedic symptom assessment, FACIT- Fatigue Scale, FACT-AN Scale, Quality of Life assessed by core module C-30 and BR-45 breast cancer questionnaires, Karnofsky’s Performance Score, and weight at all times points.

Both groups will be taking chemotherapy and allied drugs such as Filgrastim (as and when required) during chemotherapy as prescribed by the oncologist. There will be no deviation from the standard line of treatment in both groups. Those patients exhibiting hemoglobin levels below 8 mg/dl will be advised to undergo blood transfusion as prescribed by the oncologist for continuation of chemotherapy. The intervention under this proposed study will be completed as per the study design and all significant events will be noted carefully for further assessment.