Abstract
BackgroundWeight gain often occurs after breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and obesity along with sedentary behavior are associated with increased risk of BC recurrence and mortality. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether a significant weight loss, of approximately 10%, would lead to beneficial changes in biomarkers associated with cancer and/or cancer recurrence, and quality of life (QOL) in overweight and obese BC survivors.MethodsThis parallel-arm study took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from January 2009 until March 2010. Participants were overweight and obese postmenopausal BC survivors who had completed treatment at least 3 months prior to enrollment and who did not smoke. Twenty-one BC survivors were randomized, via a random number generator computer software, to a 1000-calorie deficit feeding and exercise intervention (CR) or a weight management counseling intervention (WM) for 12 weeks followed by a 6-week follow-up. Body weight, biomarkers, and QOL were measured at baseline, weeks 6, 12, and 18. Body composition and fitness level were measured at only two time points.ResultsTwenty-one women were enrolled into the study and 20 completed all time points. Weight loss occurred with both interventions. Body weight in CR changed from 85.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 77, 94) kg to 76.7 (95% CI 68.1, 85.2) kg, whereas in WM it changed from 98.3 (95% CI 89.8, 106.8) kg to 93.2 (95% CI 84.6, 101.7) kg. Fitness in CR changed from 4.9 (95% CI 4, 5.8) to 6.3 (95% CI 5.4, 7.2). CR led to lower plasma levels of leptin, F2-isoprostanes, and CRP. Quality of life seemed to improve with both interventions, while sleep quality decreased only in CR.ConclusionsOverweight and obese BC survivors were able to adhere to a strict diet and exercise program, which significantly decreased body weight, increased fitness level, and improved biomarkers and QOL. However, the strict dietary intervention in CR seemed to decrease participants’ sleep quality and social relationships. Future larger randomized controlled trials should focus on behavioral modification and personalized nutrition counseling to help breast cancer survivors achieve a sustainable weight loss and fitness level.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02940470.
Highlights
Weight gain often occurs after breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and obesity along with sedentary behavior are associated with increased risk of BC recurrence and mortality
Some of the strengths of our study include the randomized controlled study design, the inclusion of a limited contact follow-up period, the comprehensive array of variables measured, F2-isoprostanes, which have not been measured in any previous trials, and the significant weight loss achieved in the Calorie-restricted diet and exercise intervention (CR) group
The authors acknowledge that a highly-tailored feeding intervention as the one described here does not provide breast cancer survivors with tools and resources needed to succeed in their weight management goals
Summary
Weight gain often occurs after breast cancer (BC) diagnosis and obesity along with sedentary behavior are associated with increased risk of BC recurrence and mortality. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether a significant weight loss, of approximately 10%, would lead to beneficial changes in biomarkers associated with cancer and/or cancer recurrence, and quality of life (QOL) in overweight and obese BC survivors. Survivors often encounter physiological and psychological problems that may influence long-term prognosis, such as weight gain, decreased physical activity, and decreased quality of life (QOL). There is an association between PA after diagnosis and long-term prognosis, with decreases in recurrence risk of 50% in women who walked 3 to 5 h per week compared to inactive women [9] and significant decreases in mortality risk in survivors who walked 2 to 3 h per week [10]. PA combined with a dietary intervention designed to produce weight loss in overweight and obese survivors may reduce risk of disease recurrence, morbidity, and mortality [11]
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