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. 2023 Sep 2;15(17):4401.
doi: 10.3390/cancers15174401.

Weight Management Effectiveness and Predictors of Dropout in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Retrospective Study

Edda Cava  1 , Daniele Spadaccini  2 , Gianluca Aimaretti  2   3 , Paolo Marzullo  2   3 , Beatrice Cavigiolo  3 , Deborah Farinelli  4 , Alessandra Gennari  5 , Chiara Saggia  5 , Maria Grazia Carbonelli  1 , Sergio Riso  4 , Flavia Prodam  2   3
Affiliations

Weight Management Effectiveness and Predictors of Dropout in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Retrospective Study

Edda Cava et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Reducing obesity and weight gain, which often occurs during breast cancer treatment, may represent an efficient secondary or tertiary prevention against cancer.

Purpose: This retrospective observational cohort study aimed to assess the impact of a Mediterranean diet on weight and anthropometric changes in women completing active breast cancer treatment. Additionally, we sought to identify factors associated with study dropout within one year.

Methods: A total of 182 female patients (20 normal weight, 59 overweight, 103 obese) received personalized Mediterranean diet interventions and underwent monthly outpatient visits.

Results: Dropout rates were 42.3% at 6 months and 64.1% at 12 months. Among the obese subgroup, BMI (p < 0.001) and fat mass (p < 0.05) decreased after 6 months. At 12 months, the obese subgroup showed a borderline significant further reduction in BMI (p = 0.062). BMI or weight loss did not predict dropout at any time point. However, age (OR = 0.91) and diastolic blood pressure (OR = 1.07) were significant predictors of dropout at 12 months.

Conclusion: Implementing a Mediterranean diet can lead to weight and anthropometric improvements in breast cancer survivors. Further research is necessary to explore the long-term effects of weight loss on these individuals, identify effective dietary approaches, and consider specific predictors of dropout.

Keywords: Mediterranean diet; breast cancer; breast cancer survivors; prevention; weight management.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of the study. BC: breast cancer; MD: Mediterranean Diet; BIA: bioimpedence analysis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Changes in BMI in completers at 6 months. NW: normal weight; OW: overweight; OB: obese; ** = p < 0.01; *** = p < 0.001. T1 = baseline; T2 = 6 months.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in BMI in completers at 12 months; NW: normal weight; OW: overweight; OB: obese; ** = p < 0.01; *** = p < 0.001. T1 = baseline; T2 = 6 months; T3 = 12 months.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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