Outcomes of a weight loss intervention among rural breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Obese breast cancer survivors have increased risk of recurrence and death compared to their normal weight counterparts. Rural women have significantly higher obesity rates, thus weight control intervention may be a key strategy for prevention of breast cancer recurrence in this population. This one arm treatment study examined the impact of a group-based weight control intervention delivered through conference call technology to obese breast cancer survivors living in remote rural locations. The intervention included a reduced calorie diet incorporating prepackaged entrees and shakes, physical activity gradually increased to 225 min/week of moderate intensity exercise, and weekly group phone sessions. Outcomes included anthropomorphic, diet, physical activity, serum biomarker, and quality of life changes. Ninety-one percent of participants (31 of 34) attended > 75% of intervention sessions and completed post-treatment data collection visits. At 6 months, significant changes were observed for weight (-12.5 ± 5.8 kg, 13.9% of baseline weight), waist circumference (-9.4 ± 6.3 cm), daily energy intake (-349 ± 550 kcal/day), fruits and vegetables (+3.7 ± 4.3 servings/day), percent kcal from fat (-12.6 ± 8.6%), physical activity (+1235 ± 832 kcal/week; all p’s < .001), as well as significant reductions in fasting insulin (16.7% reduction, p = .006) and leptin (37.1% reduction, p < .001). Significant improvements were also seen for quality of life domains including mood, body image, and sexuality. In conclusion, the intervention produced > 10% weight loss as well as significant improvements across multiple endpoints. The group phone-based treatment delivery approach may help disseminate effective weight control intervention to hard-to-reach breast cancer survivors.

Feasibility of a lifestyle intervention for overweight/obese endometrial and breast cancer survivors using an interactive mobile application

“…The QOL outcomes were consistent with those found in the survivors of uterine cancer empowered by exercise and healthy diet (SUCCEED) randomized control trial; whereas, QOL did not change with weightloss outcomes [18,23]. However, several other studies conducting lifestyle interventions in female cancer survivors have reported QOL improvements after a group lifestyle intervention with associated weight-loss [42,43]. More research is needed to identify whether QOL is an indicator for weight-loss in female cancer survivors after a lifestyle intervention.…”

Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Factors in Korean Cancer Survivors

“…Efforts to control weight may be a key strategy to reduce mortality from cancer as well as to prevent metabolic syndrome. In breast cancer survivors, significant reductions in fasting serum insulins and leptin as well as significant improvement in quality of life were observed with weight control intervention (Befort et al, 2012).…”

A Multidimensional Scale to Measure the Reproductive Concerns of Young Adult Female Cancer Survivors

“…Higher scores are indicative of more severe depression; scores of 5, 10, 15, and 20 correspond to mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively. The PHQ-9 has been shown to have adequate construct validity and criterion validity [62,63], and has been used in studies with cancer patients and survivors [64,65]. The internal consistency for this sample was good (α = 0.86).…”