Beliefs and Behaviors about Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk Reduction among African American Breast Cancer Survivors

Benjamin Ansa, Wonsuk Yoo, Mary Whitehead, Steven Coughlin and Selina Smith
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Benjamin Ansa: Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Georgia Regents University, CJ-2300 1120 15th Street Augusta, GA 30912, USA
Wonsuk Yoo: Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Georgia Regents University, CJ-2300 1120 15th Street Augusta, GA 30912, USA
Mary Whitehead: SISTAAH Talk Breast Cancer Support Group, Miami, FL 33169, USA
Steven Coughlin: Department of Community Health and Sustainability, Division of Public Health, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
Selina Smith: Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Georgia Regents University, CJ-2300 1120 15th Street Augusta, GA 30912, USA

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: A growing body of evidence suggests that breast cancer recurrence risk is linked to lifestyle behaviors. This study examined correlations between breast cancer recurrence, risk reduction beliefs, and related behaviors among African American breast cancer survivors (AA BCSs). Study participants included 191 AA BCSs, mean age = 56.3 years, who completed a lifestyle assessment tool. Most respondents believed that being overweight (52.7%), lack of physical activity (48.7%), and a high fat diet (63.2%) are associated with breast cancer recurrence. Over 65% considered themselves overweight; one third (33.5%) agreed that losing weight could prevent recurrence, 33.0% disagreed, while the remaining 33.5% did not know; and nearly half (47.9%) believed that recurrence could be prevented by increasing physical activity. Almost 90% survivors with BMI < 25 Kg/M 2 reported no recurrence compared to 75.7% with BMI ? 25 Kg/M 2 ( p = 0.06); nearly all of the women (99.2%) answered “yes” to seeking professional help to lose weight, 79.7% of which were recurrence-free ( p = 0.05). These results provide information about AA BCSs’ beliefs and behaviors protective against breast cancer 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.

Keywords: African Americans; breast cancer; recurrence; risk factors; diet; physical activity; body weight; survivorship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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