Body Weight and Breast Cancer Treatment Experiences: Results From the Share Thoughts on a Breast Cancer Study
- PMID: 39905674
- PMCID: PMC11794236
- DOI: 10.1002/cam4.70628
Body Weight and Breast Cancer Treatment Experiences: Results From the Share Thoughts on a Breast Cancer Study
Abstract
Purpose: Differences in breast cancer recurrence and survival occur by body size; the role of treatment differences in these disparities has been underexplored. Our objective was to evaluate differences in treatments received, patient experiences of care, and treatment decision-making processes among breast cancer survivors by body size.
Methods: We used data from the Share Thoughts on Breast Cancer study. Participants (n = 1198) completed a survey that included information on demographics, treatments received, quality of care, and decision-making. We used descriptive statistics to evaluate differences in survey response by BMI category, and multivariable-adjusted multinomial and logistic regression to examine associations of BMI with treatments received.
Results: Those with higher BMI were more likely to be older, report fair/poor health, not have a college-level education, be non-white, not be insured, have an income under $50,000, be unemployed, and report a history of several chronic diseases. Although there were unadjusted associations, after adjustment, women with obesity were not significantly less likely to receive mastectomy [OR 0.79 (0.50, 1.26) and OR 0.66 (0.38, 1.16), for BMI 30-35 and 35+ kg/m2 respectively] or contralateral prophylactic mastectomy [OR 0.92 (0.59, 1.44) and OR 0.80 (0.46, 1.39)] than those without obesity. Similarly, we found no association of BMI with reconstructive surgery [OR 0.97 (0.58, 1.60) and OR 0.58 (0.30, 1.11)] after adjustment. Women with obesity were less likely to report that their breast cancer care was excellent or very good (p = 0.026).
Conclusions: We observed no differences in breast cancer treatments received by BMI after adjustment for key covariates in this study sample. Further research is necessary to determine why quality of care may be perceived as lower among women with obesity.
Keywords: body mass index; cancer treatment; obesity; weight stigma.
© 2025 The Author(s). Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
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- Norat T., Chan D., Vingeliene S., et al., The Associations Between Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity and the Risk of Breast Cancer. WCRF/AICR Systematic Literature Review Continuous Update Project Report (London: World Cancer Research Fund, American Institute for Cancer Research, 2017).
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