Perception of a need to change weight in individuals living with and beyond breast, prostate and colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Purpose People living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) are advised to achieve a body mass index (BMI) within the healthy range (≥ 18.5 and < 25). Not perceiving a need for weight change may be a barrier to achieving a healthy weight. This study aimed to explore factors associated with perceived need for weight change among people LWBC. Methods Adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer were recruited through National Health Service sites in Essex and London. Participants (N = 5835) completed the ‘Health and Lifestyle After Cancer’ survey, which included a question on perceived need to change weight. Associations between perceived need for weight change and BMI, and perceived need for weight change and health and demographic variables, were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression, respectively. Results The proportion of participants perceiving a need to lose weight differed according to BMI category: healthy weight (23%), overweight (64%), obese (85%) (P < 0.001). Having overweight or obesity but not perceiving a need to lose weight was associated with being older, male, non-white, not married or cohabiting, and having cancer that had spread, no formal qualifications, no comorbidities, and having received chemotherapy. Conclusions Perceived need to lose weight is prevalent among people LWBC with obesity and overweight. This group may be interested in weight management support. Demographic and health factors were associated with having obesity or overweight but not perceiving a need to lose weight. Implications for cancer survivors Weight loss interventions for people LWBC are needed. A subset of people LWBC with overweight and obesity may need additional information or motivators to engage with weight management.

Perceiving a need for dietary change in adults living with and beyond cancer: A cross‐sectional study

“…Heuchan et al. found a similar association between the number of comorbidities and perceiving a need to lose weight and suggested that other illness care pathways may help to raise awareness of weight status 56 . This may also be the case for dietary information and accordingly, experiencing comorbid conditions may mitigate the effects of an unmet need for dietary advice that is reported in people LWBC 30,57 .…”

“…Heuchan et al found a similar association between the number of comorbidities and perceiving a need to lose weight and suggested that other illness care pathways may help to raise awareness of weight status. 56 This may also be the case for dietary information and accordingly, experiencing comorbid conditions may mitigate the effects of an unmet need for dietary advice that is reported in people LWBC. 30,57 Similarly, this study extends findings of an association between BMI and perceptions of dietary quality by demonstrating that people LWBC with overweight or obesity are more likely to perceive a need to improve their diet.…”

High expression of ZNF692 impairs overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer-analysis of immunohistochemical staining and bioinformatics data

“…Despite advancements in treatment over the few past decades, the 5-year survival rate of Metastatic CRC was still under 12%. Several factors were reported to in uence CRC prognosis, such as lifestyle [3],…”

High Expression of ZNF692 Impairs Overall Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

“…Despite advancements in treatment over the few past decades, the 5-year survival rate of Metastatic CRC was still under 12%. Several factors were reported to influence CRC prognosis, such as lifestyle [3], genome instability [4] aberrant gene expression, etc. However, the mechanism underlying CRC survival remains elusive, which impedes the improvement of CRC prognosis.…”