Abstract C099: Examining the role of a whole food, plant-based diet on the gut microbiome, intramuscular fat, adiposity and risk for breast cancer in obese, post-menopausal African American women
Authors: Rivers Desiree , Umeakunne Kay , Mubasher Muhammad , Rivers Brian , Carson Tiffany 
Published: January 2023

Background: Obese postmenopausal African American (AA) women are at increased risk of breast cancer. Obesity and aging have been associated with changes in the gut microbiota. Plant-based diets, such as soy isoflavone consumption may protect against breast cancer development. Methods: Participant inclusion and exclusion criteria informed active recruitment and sampling methods for study participants. A mixed-methods, lifestyle study was conducted to evaluate adoption of a culturally tailored, whole food, plant-based diet and changes in risk for breast cancer among obese, post-menopausal African American women. In the qualitative phase, we examined acceptability and feasibility of adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet. In the clinical research, we examined the effect of the whole food, plant-based diet on reductions in weight, adiposity, inflammation, circulating estrogen, and gut microbiome profile. Results: In five focus group discussions, 20 African American women described their knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, attitude toward a plant-based diet, experience with making lifestyle changes, and preferences for plant-based alternatives to traditional meat-based meals. Twelve African American women completed the 4-week whole food, plant-based diet feeding study, regular DEXA body composition scans, and provided blood and stool samples analyses. Women in the qualitative phase, reported being pleased with the whole-food, plant-based selections; document adherence to the meals with food tracking; and experience an average of a five pound weight loss. Biomarker examination is underway. Conclusion: This study addresses knowledge gaps in breast cancer risk and behavioral modifications affecting risk among an aging, obese, post-menopausal African American female population. Discussion will be provided describing how the outcomes of adiposity, inflammation, circulating estrogen, and gut microbiome profile are measured. As well, explanation of the relationship between these mechanistic outcomes will be explored. Lessons learned and insight regarding attrition and the number of women who dropped out or declined to participate will be shared. The long-term goal of this program of research will shed light on the mechanisms involved in the gut microbiome, tissue integrity and function with aging, and the contributions of changes to these systems on declining health and function in obese, postmenopausal African American women at risk for breast cancer.

Citation Format: Desiree Rivers, Kay Umeakunne, Muhammad Mubasher, Brian Rivers, Tiffany Carson. Examining the role of a whole food, plant-based diet on the gut microbiome, intramuscular fat, adiposity and risk for breast cancer in obese, post-menopausal African American women [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr C099.