TITLE:
The Breast Cancer Lifestyle Intervention Pilot Study
AUTHORS:
Elizabeth Kern, Jennifer Chun, Shira Schwartz, Jessica Billig, Erica Friedman, Martha Eddy, Deirdre Kiely, Amber Guth, Deborah Axelrod, Freya Schnabel
KEYWORDS:
Breast Cancer, Lifestyle Intervention, Obesity
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.5 No.12,
October
14,
2014
ABSTRACT: Purpose: Weight loss after
breast cancer diagnosis has been associated with a decrease in risk of breast
cancer recurrence and mortality. The purpose of this study is to examine the
barriers, acceptance, and sustainability of an exercise intervention program
offered at our institution to overweight women with newly diagnosed breast
cancer. Methods: The Breast Cancer Database was queried for women newly
diagnosed with breast cancer and a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2.
Eligible patients participated in the Moving for Life (MFL) exercise program
for 16 sessions. Questionnaires were administered. Statistical analyses
included descriptives and paired t-tests to summarize patient characteristics
and assess changes over time. Results: Of 40 patients, 22 declined, 18
consented and 13 (72%) completed the study. The mean age was 61 years (range:
38 - 76). The mean BMI was 31 kg/m2. After the intervention, there
was a decrease in weight and BMI (p=
0.04). The average weight loss was 10 lbs. Participants reported greater
enjoyment of exercise (p=
0.02) and decreased pain related to treatment (p= 0.05). These initial positive
results were not maintained after 6 months and 1 year. Conclusions: The MFL
intervention had a high rate of acceptance among overweight women newly
diagnosed with breast cancer. These results demonstrated significant benefits
of exercise immediately after cancer diagnosis and highlight the importance of
developing sustainable lifestyle interventions. Interventions targeted at
modifiable lifestyle factors in women with early stage disease may provide
benefit that is comparable to certain adjuvant systemic therapies. Therefore,
adjuvant lifestyle interventions supported by clinicians may improve breast
cancer survival outcomes.