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 .
A dance intervention for cancer survivors and their partners (RHYTHM)
Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility , acceptability , and impact of a ballroom dance intervention on improving quality of life ( QOL ) and relationship outcomes in cancer survivors and their partners . Methods We conducted a pilot r and omized controlled trial with two arms ( Restoring Health in You ( and Your Partner ) through Movement , RHYTHM ) : ( 1 ) immediate dance intervention and ( 2 ) delayed intervention ( wait-list control ) . The intervention consisted of 10 private weekly dance lessons and 2 practice parties over 12 weeks . Main outcomes were physical activity ( Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Question naire ) , functional capacity ( 6 Minute Walk Test ) , QOL ( SF-36 ) , Couples ’ trust ( Dyadic Trust Scale ) , and other dyadic outcomes . Exit interviews were completed by all participating couples . Results Thirty-one women survivors ( 68 % breast cancer ) and their partners participated . Survivors were 57.9 years old on average and 22.6 % African American . Partners had similar characteristics . RHYTHM had significant positive effects on physical activity ( p = 0.05 ) , on the mental component of QOL ( p = 0.04 ) , on vitality ( p = 0.03 ) , and on the dyadic trust scale ( p = 0.04 ) . Couples expressed satisfaction with the intervention including appreciating the opportunity to spend time and exercise together . Survivors saw this light-intensity physical activity as easing them into becoming more physically active . Conclusions Light intensity ballroom dancing has the potential to improve cancer survivors ’ QOL . Larger trials are needed to build strong support for this ubiquitous and acceptable activity . Implication s for cancer survivorsBallroom dance may be an important tool for cancer survivors to return to a physically active life and improve QOL and other aspects of their intimate life
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 .