Associations between lifestyle factors and breast cancer in healthy women and breast cancer survivors and need for ehealth support

Abstract

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality amongst women and its’ incidence is highest in Western-Europe. Contributing factors are higher levels of obesity and alcohol consumption, and lower levels of physical activity. Literature suggests a poor compliance to health recommendations in both breast cancer survivors and women without history of breast cancer. In the light of breast cancer prevention it is of great importance to improve this adherence and to integrate health education. Ehealth counselling might be a useful medium to obtain this goal. To gain an insight in women’s needs and requirements regarding an eHealth programme, this study used a qualitative research design based on the iChange Model.