Abstract 5020: Potential lifestyle intervention in inner city women with endometrial cancer: A pilot study

Abstract

Abstract Hypothesis: Evidence suggests that modification of diet and exercise practices may prevent cancer recurrence. It may also decrease the risk factors for the leading causes of death in women including heart disease and stroke. Methods: 100 patients with previously diagnosed endometrial cancer were enrolled in a pilot study to collect data regarding current lifestyle, willingness to change and preferred programs of nutrition and exercise. All enrolled subjects were verbally asked to respond to a questionnaire that included validated and novel instruments. Results: Mean age was 64 (39-86 years) and mean body mass index was 34 kg/m2 (17-55). 38% of the responders were Black/African American, 33% were Caucasian, and 21% were Hispanic. Of these, 69% were born in the United States of America. 75% described themselves as “overweight”. The most common mode of current exercise was walking (54%). 89% of the patients responded that they would be interested in participating in a diet or exercise program. The most common reason that women stated they would want to participate was to improve overall health (48%). Only 4% stated that they thought it would prevent recurrence of their cancers. Diabetes mellitus was previously diagnosed in 30% of participants. Eighty three percent of diabetic patients had body mass index over 30 kg/m2 and 30% had body mass index over 40 kg/m2. Eleven patients currently on therapy for diabetes had hemoglobin A1C values greater then 6.5 and are at risk for microvessel damage and end-organ dysfunction including kidney failure and impaired vision Discussion: These data present the opinions of a racially heterogeneous group of women at risk for cancer recurrence, as well as the morbidity and mortality related to obesity and diabetes. These data suggest that women at our center should participate in a dietary and exercise intervention program and our patients would benefit from the additional health education. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5020. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5020