Edinburgh Napier University

  Abstracts: Thirty-Fourth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium-- Dec 6-10, 2011; San Antonio, TXBackground: Excess weight at diagnosis and weight gain during treatment are linked to increased mortality from breast cancer. Since 60% of breast cancer patients are overweight at diagnosis and 75% gain weight during treatment, weight control should improve outcome but the optimal intervention is unknown.Aim: To compare 3 programmes for weight control after surgery for primary breast cancer.Methods: We have recruited a randomised trial of 2 diet and exercise weight control interventions (1. a community based supervised group programme, 2. a mail and phone programme) compared to standard written advice (control). We are comparing the relative effects of the 3 programmes on body weight and composition (by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), cardiovascular risk parameters (lipids, blood pressure), a marker of breast cancer prognosis (insulin resistance), fitness and quality of life over the first year after diagnosis.In total 409 women have been randomised (45% of eligible women) and 21 women have left the trial (5.1%), 357 have completed the 6 month assessments, all are due to complete the trial in December 2011.Results: Weight and body fat results at 6 months indicate that the low cost mail and phone programme is equal to the supervised programme and both are significantly superior to written advice, but not in patients receiving chemotherapy.The high uptake and adherence to the trial shows interest and motivation of a significant number of cancer patients to make positive changes to lifestyle at the time of diagnosis. The final trial results will be presented at the December meeting. This abstract presents independent research commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research under the Research for Patient Benefit programme. The views expressed here are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the funding organisations.Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-12-01.