Pilot Feasibility Study of an Online Lifestyle Intervention for Overweight Breast Cancer Survivors

Obesity presents serious psychological and physical consequences for breast cancer survivors, including diminished quality of life, poorer prognosis and increased mortality. As such, there is a great need to develop strategies for these women to maintain optimal body weight. Diet and exercise have been shown to lead to successful weight loss among this population but these effects are seldom sustained, plausibly because these efforts alone overlook less obvious, but equally important, psychosocial factors that can interfere with prolonged progress. This study will implement a group-based intervention addressing diet and exercise along with other psychosocial issues related to survivorship such as depression, fatigue, body image and social support. Based on the growing popularity and benefits of computer-based health care, including convenience and anonymity, this intervention will also be offered online, representing the first of its kind. It is hypothesized that the intervention will be feasible to implement and acceptable to its participants. It is also hypothesized that the intervention will yield meaningful and sustained changes in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference (primary outcomes), as well as mental well-being, quality of life, and body image (secondary outcomes). This research has the ability to improve the long-term health of breast cancer survivors by incorporating psychosocial interventions into standard medical care practices and has the potential to increase accessibility of these services using online technology.

Sex

Female

Minimum age

21 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. be 21 years or older
2. have been diagnosed with primary BC (stages I-III)
3. have completed active treatment within the previous 5 years
4. have a BMI above 25 or report a weight increase of 10 pounds or more post-treatment,
5. be available to participate in 10 consecutive weeks of the online program

7\) be comfortable using and have access to a computer and secure Internet connection 8) can read and write in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. diagnosis of metastatic cancer
2. diagnosis of a mental health condition that would interfere with their own, or another group members' ability to benefit from the group (e.g., psychosis)
3. diagnosis of an additional medical condition that is not being successfully managed/treated
4. plans to undergo a medical procedure within the next year
5. plans to participate in another structured weight loss program or take weight loss medication within the next year.