Complementary and Integrative Medicines Used by Cancer Patients to Cope With Chemotherapy-Related Taste Alterations

Abstract

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of cells in any part of the body and has numerous signs, symptoms, and treatment approaches [1, 2, 3]. Cancer is also a life-threatening disease. The number of cancer patients has increased dramatically in recent decades. The morbidity and mortality of cancer were reported at a high level, and its cost and duration of treatment and adverse effects on the quality of life make it an emerging health crisis [4, 5, 6]. Cancer mortality increased about 20% from 1995 to 2018, and its cost in Europe was€ 199 billion [7]. Today, one of the most common cancer treatments is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy affects not only cancer cells but also normal cells that causes numerous side effects [2, 6, 7]. Among these side effects, a change in the sense of taste frequently occurs. It was reported that between 38.8% and 86% of patients under chemotherapy experience taste alterations [8, 9]. Patients describe the change in the sense of taste as a metallic, bitter, or bad taste in their mouths, sensitivity or insensitivity to sweet tastes, and intolerance of bitter tastes [8, 10].