Phone-Based Weight Loss Program for Breast Cancer Patients
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Weight loss Intervention Shows Promise for Women with Breast Cancer
TOPLINE: A telephone-based weight-loss intervention led to clinically significant weight loss in women with stage II/III breast cancer and overweight or obesity, according to a 1-year analysis of a phase 3 study. While effective across all demographic and racial/ethnic subgroups, the intervention was more effective in postmenopausal and non-black/non-Hispanic participants.
Understanding the Connection
Obesity is associated with increased risks for recurrence, mortality, comorbidities, and poor quality of life in patients with breast cancer. Prior weight-loss studies were ofen small, included mostly non-Hispanic White patients, and utilized in-person formats that may not be accessible to a broader population.This new research addresses these limitations with a more inclusive and practical approach.
How the Study Worked
Researchers conducted a secondary analysis of a phase 3 clinical trial (BWEL) involving 3180 women (mean age, 53.4 years) with stage II/III human epidermal growth factor receptor-negative breast cancer and a BMI ≥ 27. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive either a 2-year telephone-based weight-loss intervention (n = 1591) plus standard health education materials or health education materials alone (n = 1589; control group).
The weight loss intervention promoted weight loss through caloric restriction (1200-1800 kcal/d based on baseline body weight) and increased physical activity (150 min/wk during the first 6 months, increasing to 225 min/wk thereafter).
The primary endpoint for this analysis was weight change at 1 year.
Key findings
At 1 year, participants in the intervention group achieved a mean weight loss of 4.3 kg,equivalent to 4.7% of baseline body weight, whereas those in the control group gained a mean of 0.9 kg or 1.0% of baseline body weight (mean between-group difference, 5.3 kg; P < .001). Furthermore, 46.5% of participants in the intervention group achieved a clinically significant weight loss of at least 5% of baseline weight compared with 14.3% in the control group (P < .001); similarly, 22.5% in the intervention group and 5.0% in the control group lost 10% of baseline body weight (P < .001). Subgroup analyses revealed greater weight loss among postmenopausal women (mean difference, 6.37%) than among premenopausal women (mean difference, 4.82%), and less weight loss among Black and Hispanic participants than among participants of othre racial and ethnic groups (mean differences, 3.74% and 4.14%, respectively, vs 6.11%). Participants in the weight loss intervention completed a median of 26 out of 30 planned coaching calls during the first year, and weight loss was positively correlated with the number of calls completed (correlation coefficient, 0.57; P = .02). Premenopausal women participated in fewer calls than postmenopausal women (median, 25 vs 26; P < .001), and Black and Hispanic women participated in fewer calls than participants of other racial and ethnic groups (median, 23 and 22 vs 26; P < .001). What This Means for Patients
These findings demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a lifestyle-based weight-loss intervention as part of breast cancer treatment, according to the study authors.While the study shows a positive impact, further research is needed to determine if the achieved weight loss is sufficient to improve prognosis.Looking Ahead
This research highlights the importance of accessible and tailored weight management programs for women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Addressing disparities in engagement and outcomes among different demographic groups will be crucial for maximizing the benefits of these interventions. the study underscores the potential of telephone-based coaching to reach a wider audience and support positive health changes.