Weight changes and lifestyle behaviors in women after breast cancer diagnosis: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundWeight gain rather than weight loss often occurs after breast cancer diagnosis despite breast cancer survivors frequently reported making healthful lifestyle changes. This study describes the prevalence and magnitude of changes in weight before and after breast cancer diagnosis and examines lifestyle behaviors of breast cancer survivors with stable weight, weight gain or weight loss.MethodsRespondents were 368 women with breast cancer characterized by stages I, II and III. All were recruited from hospitals or breast cancer support groups and had completed conventional treatment. Current weight and height were measured while weight at cancer diagnosis and 1 year before diagnosis were self-reported. Weight change was calculated as the difference between current weight and weight a year preceding breast cancer diagnosis. A 24-hour diet recall and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire assessed dietary intake and physical activity, respectively. Differences in lifestyle behaviors among weight change groups were examined using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).ResultsMean weight change from a year preceding diagnosis to study entry was 2.73 kg (95% CI: 1.90-3.55). Most women (63.3%) experienced weight gain rather than weight loss (36.7%) with a higher percentage (47.8%) having at least 5% weight gain (47.8%) rather than weight loss (22%), respectively. Compared to other weight change groups, women in >10% weight gain group had the lowest fruit and vegetable servings (1.58 servings/day; 95% CI: 1.36-1.82) and highest servings of dairy products (0.41 servings/day; 95% CI: 0.30-0.52).ConclusionsWeight gain was evident in this sample of women after breast cancer diagnosis. Information on magnitude of weight change after breast cancer diagnosis and lifestyle behaviors of breast cancer survivors with varying degrees of weight change could facilitate the development and targeting of effective intervention strategies to achieve healthy weight and optimal health for better survival.

Relationships Between Cause of Cancer and Breast Cancer-Related Factors in Breast Cancer Survivors

“…This result is not supported by those of other studies (Kacem et al, 2010;Yaw et al, 2011). The majority of participants in this study had an acceptable BMI.…”

“…Other critical factors associated with breast cancer include stress, hormone therapy, genetics, environmental, diet, aging, smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise, that cause of breast cancer (Stewart et al, 2001;Wang et al, 2010;Ferrucci et al, 2011;Panjari et al, 2011). Numerous studies have shown that almost half of the women studied had abnormal BMI during the year preceding their breast cancer diagnosis (Kacem et al, 2010;Litton et al, 2011;Yaw et al, 2011).…”

Perceptions of Dutch health care professionals on weight gain during chemotherapy in women with breast cancer

“…During the period of interviewing, the HCPs used the Dutch breast cancer guidelines for breast cancer care in hospitals [39], and for GPs [33]. These guidelines, and also the guidelines used in the UK and US [42,43], do not include information on weight gain as adverse effects of chemotherapy, despite growing evidence [7][8][9][10][11]. In the new Dutch guidelines 2017, involuntary weight gain (BMI > 25; weight gain >5% or > 3 kg since diagnosis; middle waist > 88 cm) is now included, but only in the diagnostic phase not during treatment [44].…”

“…Over 60% of women with breast cancer receive (neo) adjuvant chemotherapy [2]. Several studies reported that chemotherapy is associated with weight gain [7][8][9][10][11]. Weight gain may have long-term consequences because it can lead to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and disease recurrence in survivors of breast cancer [12][13][14][15], and at least half of the patients experience unhappiness concerning their body changes and altered physical appearance, which negatively affected their quality of life [16][17][18][19].…”

Healthy Lifestyle Changes During the Period Before and After Cancer Diagnosis Among Breast Cancer Survivors

“…About previous research on the lifestyles of breast cancer survivors, were described as follows. Yaw et al (2011) examined 368 women with breast cancer, discovering thatmean weight change from a year past diagnosis to study access were 2.73 kg. In fact, previous studies have investigated the healthy lifestyles of breast cancer survivors regarding quality of life and adaption (Kreitler et al, 2007).…”