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 .
Efficacy of a Weight Loss Intervention for African American Breast Cancer Survivors.
Purpose African American women with breast cancer have higher cancer-specific and overall mortality rates . Obesity is common among African American women and contributes to breast cancer progression and numerous chronic conditions . Weight loss interventions among breast cancer survivors positively affect weight , behavior , biomarkers , and psychosocial outcomes , yet few target African Americans . This article examines the effects of Moving Forward , a weight loss intervention for African American breast cancer survivors ( AABCS ) on weight , body composition , and behavior . Patients and Methods Early-stage ( I-III ) AABCS were r and omly assigned to a 6-month interventionist-guided ( n = 125 ) or self-guided ( n = 121 ) weight loss program supporting behavioral changes to promote a 5 % weight loss .  Anthropometric , body composition , and behavioral data were collected at baseline , postintervention ( 6 months ) , and follow-up ( 12 months ) . Descriptive statistics and mixed models analyses assessed differences between groups over time . Results Mean ( ± st and ard deviation ) age , and body mass index were 57.5 ( ± 10.1 ) years and 36.1 ( ± 6.2 ) kg/m2 , respectively , and 82 % had stage I or II breast cancer . Both groups lost weight . Mean and percentage of weight loss were greater in the guided versus self-guided group ( at 6 months : 3.5 kg v 1.3 kg ; P < .001 ; 3.6 % v 1.4 % ; P < .001 , respectively ; at 12 months : 2.7 kg v 1.6 kg ; P < .05 ; 2.6 % v 1.6 % ; P < .05 , respectively ) ; 44 % in the guided group and 19 % in the self-guided group met the 5 % goal . Body composition and behavioral changes were also greater in the interventionist-guided group at both time points . Conclusion The study supports the efficacy of a community-based interventionist-guided weight loss program targeting AABCS .  Although mean weight loss did not reach the targeted 5 % , the mean loss of > 3 % at 6 months is associated with improved health outcomes . Affordable , accessible health promotion programs represent a critical re source for AABCS
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 .