Breast cancer recurrence risk-reduction beliefs and behaviors among African American breast cancer survivors.

Abstract

180 Background: A growing body of evidence suggests that breast cancer (BC) recurrence risk is linked to lifestyle behaviors. This study examined correlations between BC recurrence, risk reduction beliefs and related behaviors among African American (AA) breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Methods: 191 AA BCSs, mean age = 56.3 years (standard deviation = 11.4 years) completed a lifestyle assessment tool. Results: Most respondents believed that being overweight (52.7%), lack of physical activity (48.7%) and a high fat diet (63.2%) are associated with BC recurrence. 66.3% considered themselves overweight; one third (33.5%) endorsed that losing weight could prevent BC recurrence; another third (33%) did not, while the remainder (33.5%) don’t know; and nearly half (47.9%) believed that BC recurrence could be prevented by increasing physical activity. 87.3% survivors with BMI < 25 Kg/M2 reported no recurrence compared to 75.7% with BMI > 25 Kg/M2 (p = 0.0580); almost all the women (99.2%) answered ‘yes’ to seeking professional help to lose weight, 79.7% of which were recurrence-free (p = 0.0508). Conclusions: These results provide information about AA BCSs’ beliefs and behaviors protective against BC recurrence. Additional research is warranted to determine the effectiveness of educational interventions for AA BCSs that promote consumption of a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity.