Diet compliance before i-131 treatment of thyroid cancer patients at The Military institute of radiology medicine and Oncology in 2024 and some related factors

Abstract

Objective: To describe the current status of dietary compliance before I-131 treatment in thyroid cancer patients and related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 100 thyroid cancer patients undergoing treatment at the Military Institute of Radiation Medicine and Oncology in 2024. A self-reported questionnaire on dietary compliance was used, designed according to the Ministry of Health guidelines. Results: Dietary compliance was relatively high for factors such as abstaining from iodine-containing foods (78%), limiting iodized salt intake (70%), and avoiding seafood and seaweed (65%). However, adherence was lower for avoiding dairy products (60%), eggs and egg products (55%), iodine-containing products such as mouthwash (51%), and iodine-enriched beverages (45%). Several factors were significantly associated with adherence to the pre-I-131 diet, including age, education, income, and disease duration (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights the need for more effective interventions targeting at-risk populations to improve adherence to the pre-I-131 diet in thyroid cancer patients