Survivors Overcoming and Achieving Resilience (SOAR): An 8-week breast cancer survivorship and nutrition program.

Abstract

e24025 Background: The American Cancer Society (ACS) published Diet and Physical Activity Guidelines in 2020. Emerging evidence suggests that healthy dietary patterns are associated with reduced cancer risk, especially colon and breast. ACS estimates there are 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the US. The transition from active treatment into survivorship is a critical period where they are uniquely positioned to adapt healthy behaviors, yet there is a lack of empirical research to best guide the transition. Methods: We developed an 8-week breast cancer survivorship program to educate and develop healthy habits. 40 participants were recruited through Moffitt breast and survivorship clinics, social media, and website. Weekly topics were: cancer survivorship, nutrition, emotional health and well-being, exercise, medical management after treatment, grocery store tour, meditation and mindful eating, and moving forward. To assess health-related quality of life (QoL), we used FACT-G Version 4, a validated patient-reported survey with 27 questions and 4 domains of wellbeing (physical, social/family, emotional, and functional) on a 5-point Likert scale (not at all to very much). Similarly, a nutrition questionnaire evaluated the understanding of healthy choices, confidence in making healthy changes, knowing how to purchase healthy foods and read nutrition labels, confidence in preparing healthy foods, and understanding of a plant-based diet. Surveys were administered pre- and post-intervention. Data analysis included those who completed both (n = 30). Pt characteristics and data trends were summarized using descriptive statistics. Paired Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to assess the significance of the change in scores between surveys. Results: Participant ages ranged from 41 to 77. The majority (34.5%) completed treatment 13-24 months prior. Compared to baseline, greater proportions of participants had positive responses after intervention in all nutrition questions. The nutrition sum was significantly increased by 3.07 (p = 0.0001). There was no significant change in overall QoL (-1.77; p = 0.1178) or sub-domain wellbeing scores. Conclusions: Our 8-week intervention for breast cancer survivors showed significant improvement in nutrition domain. While a small sample size is limiting, it is evident that survivors can improve their confidence in making healthy changes and develop better understanding of a plant-based diet.[Table: see text]