359 Background: Patients with breast cancer can benefit from comprehensive care strategies beyond conventional treatments. At Kaiser Permanente East Bay (KPEB), 350-400 patients are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, many seeking lifestyle changes to improve their prognosis. The KPEB Lifestyle Medicine Program aims to improve recovery and overall well-being through evidence-based lifestyle interventions. Methods: The KPEB Lifestyle Medicine Program is founded on evidence-based interventions focusing on nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, substance use, and social support. Led by a multidisciplinary team, the program ran from September 29 to November 17, 2022, featuring 8 weekly 1-1.5 hour virtual classes. The program enrolled 18 patients under 60 years of age with stage I-III breast cancer who completed active treatment. Topics covered in the program included nutritional counseling, exercise regimens, stress reduction techniques, sleep guidance, support for managing substance use, and fostering social connections. Additional topics included sexual health, anti-hormonal medication side effects, menopause, and mindfulness. Restorative yoga and cooking classes were also offered and participants formed personal groups for connection outside class. Patients had virtual one-on-one appointments with a physician before, midway, immediately after, and six months post-program, followed annually by the survivorship clinic. Blood work (HbA1c, cholesterol) was conducted before and six months after program completion. Results: Of the n=18 participants, 1 participant dropped out before the first class, and 1 participant attended only 1 class. On average, attendance was 90%, with 90% of participants extremely satisfied with the program and 80% reporting increased confidence in applying course learnings. The class on sexual health and managing side effects of anti-hormonal medications and menopause was the most well-received. Patients were metabolically healthy at program entry and exit, with significant LDL improvement (average LDL: entry = 100, exit = 83). Average HbA1c remained stable (entry = 5.52, exit = 5.57). Conclusions: The KPEB Lifestyle Medicine Program was well-attended, effectively addressed the needs of breast cancer patients, and enhanced overall health. Further research will explore longer-term benefits and broader application in oncology care.
Read full abstract