SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALoncology, cardiology

cross-sectional·oncology, cardiology, public health, epidemiology, observational study·PMC10043444

Lifestyle factors in Black female breast cancer survivors—Descriptive results from an online pilot study

Frontiers in Public Health · 3 authors, 3 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.

AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

“

TL;DR

An online pilot survey of 100 Black female breast cancer survivors in Maryland found high prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors, including 51% with hypertension, 54% meeting criteria for obesity at the time of survey, and only 28% meeting weekly exercise recommendations.

Full summary

377 CHARS

More than half (51%) reported hypertension and 54% were obese at the time of survey, compared with 7% who reported obesity at diagnosis. Only 28% met weekly exercise recommendations. These descriptive pilot data identify high burdens of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among Black breast cancer survivors and will inform a planned statewide multilevel prospective study.

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

oncology

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10043444

Lifestyle factors in Black female breast cancer survivors—Descriptive results from an online pilot study

Frontiers in Public Health

READ THE FULL PAPER

ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Breast cancer (BC) research examining disparities in cancer survivorship and modifiable risk behaviors has been mostly cancer-specific, leaving relevant gaps in disparities research relating to other cancer survivorship outcomes, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Maintaining healthy lifestyle behaviors is a critical component of successful cancer survivorship, where unhealthy behaviors may increase the risk for recurrence, second primary cancers, and incidence of new comorbid conditions, including CVD. The current study describes BC survivorship factors among an online pilot study of Black BC survivors in Maryland, with a focus on the burden of obesity, comorbidity, and behavioral factors associated with CVD risk. Methods Utilizing social media recruitment strategies and survivor networks, we recruited 100 Black female BC survivors to complete an online survey. Descriptive characteristics (demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors) were analyzed in terms of frequencies, means, standard deviations (SD) overall and by county. Results The average ages at time of survey and at primary BC diagnosis were 58.6 years ( SD = 10.1) and 49.1 years ( SD = 10.2), respectively. More than half of the survivors reported having hypertension (51%); and while only 7% reported being obese at the time of BC diagnosis, 54% reported being obese at the time of survey which was on average 9 years post BC diagnosis. Only 28% of the survivors reported meeting weekly exercise recommendations. While 70% were never smokers, most ever smokers resided in Baltimore City/Baltimore County ( n = 18 ever smokers). Conclusion Our pilot study identified at-risk BC survivors in Maryland due to the high prevalence of CVD risk factors (hypertension, obesity, limited exercise). These pilot study methods will inform a future statewide multilevel prospective study to improve health behaviors among Black BC survivors. Keywords: breast cancer, survivorship, Black women, social networks (online), lifestyle factors

CITATION EXPORT

Avonne E Connor, Kate E Dibble, Kala Visvanathan. Lifestyle factors in Black female breast cancer survivors—Descriptive results from an online pilot study. Frontiers in Public Health. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1072741

AUTHORS

3 · 3 CENTRES

Avonne E Connor, Kate E Dibble, Kala Visvanathan

1Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
2Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
3Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA, United States