Conclusions : The available literature suggests that African American breast cancer survivors adhere to interventions of various modalities and are capable of making modest to significant changes .
Background : African American breast cancer survivors have a higher incidence of estrogen receptor negative and basal-like ( e.g. , triple negative ) tumors , placing them at greater risk for poorer survival when compared to women of other racial and ethnic groups .
While access to equitable care , late disease stage at diagnosis , tumor biology , and sociodemographic characteristics contribute to health disparities , poor lifestyle characteristics ( i.e. , inactivity , obesity , and poor diet ) contribute equally to these disparities .
Lifestyle interventions hold promise in shielding African American survivors from second cancers , comorbidities , and premature mortality , but they are often underrepresented in studies promoting positive behaviors .
This review examined the available literature to document health behaviors and lifestyle intervention ( i.e. , obesity , physical activity , and sedentary behavior ) studies in African American breast cancer survivors .
Physical activity, additional breast cancer events, and mortality among early-stage breast cancer survivors: findings from the WHEL Study
Objective Research suggests that physical activity is associated with improved breast cancer survival , yet no studies have examined the association between post-diagnosis changes in physical activity and breast cancer outcomes . The aim of this study was to determine whether baseline activity and 1-year change in activity are associated with breast cancer events or mortality . Methods A total of 2,361 post-treatment breast cancer survivors ( Stage I – III ) enrolled in a r and omized controlled trial of dietary change completed physical activity measures  at baseline and one year .  Physical activity variables ( total , moderate – vigorous , and adherence to guidelines )  were calculated for each time point . Median follow-up was 7.1 years . Outcomes were invasive breast cancer events and all-cause mortality . Results Those who were most active at baseline had a 53 % lower mortality risk compared to the least active women ( HR = 0.47 ; 95 % CI : 0.26 , 0.84 ; p = .01 ) . Adherence to activity guidelines was associated with a 35 % lower mortality risk ( HR = 0.65 , 95 % CI : 0.47 , 0.91 ; p < .01 ) . Neither baseline nor 1-year change in activity was associated with additional breast cancer events . Conclusions Higher baseline ( post-treatment ) physical activity was associated with improved survival . However , change in activity over the following year was not associated with outcomes . These data suggest that long-term physical activity levels are important for breast cancer prognosis
Conclusions : The available literature suggests that African American breast cancer survivors adhere to interventions of various modalities and are capable of making modest to significant changes .
Background : African American breast cancer survivors have a higher incidence of estrogen receptor negative and basal-like ( e.g. , triple negative ) tumors , placing them at greater risk for poorer survival when compared to women of other racial and ethnic groups .
While access to equitable care , late disease stage at diagnosis , tumor biology , and sociodemographic characteristics contribute to health disparities , poor lifestyle characteristics ( i.e. , inactivity , obesity , and poor diet ) contribute equally to these disparities .
Lifestyle interventions hold promise in shielding African American survivors from second cancers , comorbidities , and premature mortality , but they are often underrepresented in studies promoting positive behaviors .
This review examined the available literature to document health behaviors and lifestyle intervention ( i.e. , obesity , physical activity , and sedentary behavior ) studies in African American breast cancer survivors .