Author(s)

Oumaima Talbi^1*, Zineb Benbrahim¹, Khadija Hinaje¹, Imad Chakri², Kaoutar Maadin¹, Lamiae Amaadour¹, Karima Oualla¹, Samia Arifi¹, Nawfel Mellas¹

¹Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dental Medicine of Fez, University Sidi Mohamed BenAbdellah, Fez, Morocco.
²Epidemiology Laboratory, Clinical Research, and Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dental Medicine of Fez, University Sidi Mohamed BenAbdellah, Fez, Morocco.

Introduction: Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Muslim calendar, and fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslim cancer patients and health professionals are faced with a dilemma between the necessity of fasting and its possible adverse effects during Ramadan on the health status of cancer patients. We believe that addressing the issue of fasting in cancer patients is of global interest. Objectives: Prevalence of fasting in cancer patients during Ramadan; Predictive factors of Ramadan fasting in cancer patients; The effect of fasting during Ramadan on the quality of life of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to interview adult cancer patients who received chemotherapy IV—or oral treatment at the medical oncology department at the Hassan II University Hospital in Fez during the month of Ramadan 1443 Hijri (April to May 2022). The quality of cancer patients’ lives during their fasting practice in Ramadan was evaluated via the QLQ-C30 questionnaires. Results: 48% of patients did not fast during Ramadan, 22% and 30% were partial and complete fasters respectively. Patients, with OMS 0 to 1, who receive outpatient treatment, non-metastatic patients and patients on oral treatment were more frequent in the completely fasted group. All these factors showed statistically significant values (p < 0.05). 44% of patients sought advice from the treating oncologist if they could fast, while only 15% of patients during Ramadan asked an imam if they could be excused from fasting. A comparison of the QLQ-C30 data showed a significant improvement in emotional functioning with fasting, however, patients had clinically more but not significantly fatigue after fasting. Conclusion: Female gender, good WHO, non-metastatic disease, and oral or outpatient treatment were more likely to be fasting. This study argues that fasting did not influence the quality of life, and appears to significantly improve emotional functioning in cancer patients during Ramadan.

Ramadan, Fasting, Quality of Life, Practice

Talbi, O. , Benbrahim, Z. , Hinaje, K. , Chakri, I. , Maadin, K. , Amaadour, L. , Oualla, K. , Arifi, S. and Mellas, N. (2024) Fasting and Cancer: Practice and Patients’ Quality of Life during Ramadan. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 15, 49-56. doi: 10.4236/jct.2024.153005.