Abstract C011: The effects of a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention on quality of life in African-American breast cancer survivors
Authors: Awoyinka Lola , Sharp Lisa , Visotcky Alexis , Banerjee Anjishnu , Sheean Patricia , Stolley Melinda 
Published: September 2020

Background. African-American Breast Cancer survivors (AABCS) report long-term challenges with weight gain, symptom burden, fatigue and overall physical and mental quality of life (QOL) following breast cancer treatment. Lifestyle interventions supporting weight loss, improved diet and physical activity patterns document reduced symptom burden and fatigue, and improved QOL. Most studies, however, do not include diverse samples. The Moving Forward randomized trial examined the effects of a weight loss intervention among 246 AABCS on multiple outcomes including quality of life. We will also examine correlates associated with improved QOL. Methods: 246 AABCS were randomized to either a 6-month interventionist-guided (IG) or self-guided (SG) program. The IG-program included twice weekly classes with supervised exercise that addressed strategies to improve diet, be more active and lose weight. Participants also received bi-weekly supportive text messages. This program was held in partnership with the Chicago Park District in eight predominately AA Chicago neighborhoods. The SG-program received a program binder with the same information offered in the IG group. Measures were collected at baseline, 6-mos and 12mos and included: PROMIS-10 QOL, the Brief Fatigue Inventory, Results: Women in the IG group (n=125) lost significantly more weight than those in the SG (n=121) group (-3.49kgs vs -1.27kgs, p&lt;0.0001) and % weight loss (3.6% vs 1.4%, p=0.001) at 6 mos. Post-intervention, PROMIS scores were significantly higher than those in the SG group (n=101) for the mental (p=0.024) and physical (p=0.016) scales. The magnitude of improvement from baseline to 6 months for both mental (p=0.006) and physical health scores (p&lt;0.001) was also significantly higher in the IG group. At 12 months there were no longer significant difference between groups, however the change from baseline remained higher for the IG group for mental (p=0.067) and physical measures (p=0.004). IG also reported lower fatigue post-intervention (p&lt;0.0001) compared to SG. Conclusions: This study suggests that a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention can improve physical and mental quality of life and proposes that these improvements can be maintained beyond the intervention period. Additional analyses will explore potential correlates of QOL improvements including weight loss, self-efficacy and social support.

Citation Format: Lola Awoyinka, Lisa Sharp, Alexis Visotcky, Anjishnu Banerjee, Patricia Sheean, Melinda Stolley. The effects of a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention on quality of life in African-American breast 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 C011.