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. 2017 Jun;13(3):125-136.
doi: 10.1111/ajco.12629. Epub 2016 Nov 10.

The Living Well after Breast Cancer™ Pilot Trial: a weight loss intervention for women following treatment for breast cancer

Marina Reeves  1 , Elisabeth Winkler  1 , Nicole Mccarthy  2   3 , Sheleigh Lawler  1 , Caroline Terranova  1 , Sandi Hayes  4 , Monika Janda  4 , Wendy Demark-Wahnefried  5 , Elizabeth Eakin  1
Affiliations

The Living Well after Breast Cancer™ Pilot Trial: a weight loss intervention for women following treatment for breast cancer

Marina Reeves et al. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2017 Jun.

Abstract

Aim: Obesity is associated with poor prognosis and risk of treatment side-effects in breast cancer survivors. This pilot study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, safety and efficacy of a telephone-delivered weight loss intervention, among women (BMI 25-40 kg/m2 ) following treatment for stage I-III breast cancer, on weight loss (primary outcome), quality of life and treatment-related side-effects (vs usual care).

Methods: Ninety women (mean ± SD age: 55.3 ± 8.7years; BMI: 31.0 ± 4.3 kg/m2 ; 15.9 ± 2.9 months postdiagnosis), recruited from a state-based cancer registry, were randomized to a weight loss (diet and physical activity) intervention (n = 45) or usual care (n = 45). Data collected at baseline and 6 months included weight, body composition, quality of life, fatigue and body image. Acceptability and satisfaction were assessed in intervention participants.

Results: Oncologists provided consent to contact 82.6% of patients, with 84.1% of those women contacted and eligible consenting to participate. Compared with usual care, mean weight loss was significantly greater in the intervention arm (-3.1 kg [95% CI, -5.4 to -0.7]; -3.7% baseline weight [95% CI, -6.6 to -0.9]), as were reductions in fat mass (-2.1 kg [95% CI, -4.2 to -0.1]) and waist circumference (-4.0 cm [95% CI, -6.6 to -1.3]). No other statistically significant intervention effects were observed. Participants were highly satisfied with the intervention overall and it is timing in relation to diagnosis/treatment. One reported adverse event (musculoskeletal injury) was attributable to the intervention.

Conclusions: This weight loss intervention was feasible, acceptable, safe and effective for women 1-2 years after a breast cancer diagnosis. The effect of weight loss on quality of life and treatment-related side-effects should be examined further in fully-powered studies.

Keywords: breast cancer survivors; diet; obesity; physical activity; quality of life.

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