Data from Weight Change in Breast Cancer Survivors Compared to Cancer-Free Women: A Prospective Study in Women at Familial Risk of Breast Cancer

Abstract

<div>Abstract<p><b>Background:</b> This study prospectively examines weight gain in breast cancer survivors compared with cancer-free women from a familial risk cohort.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> Absolute and percent weight change over 4 years was compared among 303 breast cancer survivors and 307 cancer-free women matched on age and menopausal status, from the same familial risk cohort. Linear and logistic regression was used to estimate the association between survivor status and weight gain.</p><p><b>Results:</b> Overall, breast cancer survivors gained significantly more weight [β = 3.06 pounds; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.94–5.17] than cancer-free women. Significant weight gain was observed in survivors diagnosed less than 5 years prior to baseline (β = 3.81 pounds; 95% CI, 1.22–6.29) and women with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative tumors (β = 7.26 pounds; 95% CI, 2.23–12.30). Furthermore, survivors treated with chemotherapy were 2.1 times more likely to gain at least 11 pounds during follow-up compared with cancer-free women (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.21–3.63). Weight gain was even greater among survivors who took statins while undergoing chemotherapy treatment (<i>P</i><sub>interaction</sub> = 0.01).</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b> This is the first study to demonstrate that weight gain is an important issue in breast cancer survivors with a familial risk. In the first five years posttreatment, breast cancer survivors gain weight at a faster rate than cancer-free women, particularly after chemotherapy and statin use but not after hormone therapy alone.</p><p><b>Impact:</b> Our findings provide support for the development of weight gain interventions for young breast cancer survivors with a familial risk. <i>Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(8); 1262–9. ©2015 AACR</i>.</p></div>