Abstract B010: Avanzando juntas: Adapting an evidence-based weight loss program for Hispanic breast and gynecologic cancer survivors
Authors: Prado AnaKaren Manriquez , Young Stacy , Kamaraju Sailaja , Henderson Magdalisse , Sheean Patricia , Stolley Melinda 
Published: September 2020

Background: Obesity increases risk for recurrence for many cancers. Hispanic breast and gynecological cancer survivors (BGCS) are more likely than Non-Hispanic White BGCS to have overweight/obesity. Weight management is challenging for many Hispanics due to a complex interaction of environmental, societal and policy-related factors. These factors also contribute to disparities in cancer recurrence risk, quality of life and comorbidities. This study informed the adaptation of the evidence-based Moving Forward weight loss intervention for Hispanic BGCS. Methods: Intervention adaptation was done in an iterative process with continuous engagement of BGCS and a community advisory committee. Hispanic BGCS with BMIs &lt; 25 kg/m2 who had completed treatment at least 3 months prior were invited to participate in two focus groups offered in Spanish or English. Focus group I informed initial adaptations asking general questions about lifestyle support, interests and needs, family and community attitudes about weight and breast cancer. Focus group II was structured with participants reviewing intervention topics and materials to inform program refinement. All groups were audio-recorded and transcribed. Multi-faceted content analysis used a combination of inductive and deductive approaches, leading to codes which were then compiled into overarching themes. Results: 30 HBGCS participated in the first round of data collection. We conducted 4 focus groups (3 English, 1 Spanish) with 14 survivors. The other 18 HBGCS completed individual interviews, an approach found to be more accessible to these predominately Spanish-speaking women. For Focus Group II, 24 of the same 30 women participated. The majority completed a focus group and 8 completed interviews. Content analysis revealed 3 major themes related to survivorship, needs and wants in the intervention: Relationships and Support, Wellness, and Advocacy and Empowerment. A cross-cutting theme underlying all topics was acculturation. Focus Group II provided additional details including particular foods and cooking methods, beliefs and values, holidays, community assets and needs, and family roles and responsibilities. These data informed intervention adaptations. Conclusions: Level of acculturation was a defining factor for participants’ relationship and support dynamics, access to wellness resources, and self-advocacy versus relying on others to advocate for them. Next steps are to pilot the adapted program, Avanzando Juntas. Outcomes will include weight, metabolic syndrome risk factors and cancer recurrence biomarkers.

Citation Format: AnaKaren Manriquez Prado, BA, Stacy Young, PhD, Sailaja Kamaraju, MD, Magdalisse Henderson, MS, Patricia Sheean, PhD, Melinda Stolley, PhD. Avanzando juntas: Adapting an evidence-based weight loss program for Hispanic breast and gynecologic cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr B010.