In-depth analyses of the wetness-heat constitution showed that bitter taste/smelly mouth was an independent risk factor for severe CINV (OR = 1.209, 95 % CI: 1.035–1.412, P = 0.017), as well as progesterone receptor-positive cancer (OR = 1.429, 95 % CI: 1.030–1.981, P = 0.032). Here, PGR is linked to cancer.