title: Lifestyle Modification Experiences of African American Breast Cancer Survivors: A Needs Assessment.
abstract: Little is known about the rates of obesity among African American (AA) breast cancer survivors (BCSs), the availability and use of lifestyle modification methods suitable for this population, and the impact of changes in dietary intake and physical activity on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL).
  
  
  
  The objectives of the study were to describe obesity rates, dietary intake, and physical activity as lifestyle modification strategies; examine predictors of engagement in these strategies post diagnosis; and learn more about salient features of lifestyle interventions from AA BCSs participating in a breast cancer support group.
  
  
  
  The needs assessment included four components: (1) a literature review to determine existing lifestyle modification strategies of AA BCSs; (2) secondary data analysis of the 2010 National Health Interview Survey, Cancer Control Supplement to examine HR-QoL; (3) administration, to 200 AA BCSs, of an assessment tool relating to weight and breast cancer history, dietary intake, and physical activity through a variety of approaches (eg, Internet, mail, in-person, and telephone); and (4) focus group discussions to frame lifestyle interventions.
  
  
  
  Preliminary findings indicate that AA BCSs are underrepresented in lifestyle intervention research, have disparities in HR-QoL outcomes, do not meet current cancer prevention guidelines, and have recommendations for effective strategies for lifestyle modification.
  
  
  
  As analyses of the needs assessment are completed, the research team is partnering with community coalitions and breast cancer support groups in Miami, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia to develop community-engaged intervention approaches for promoting adherence to cancer prevention guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public & Preventive Health Georgia Regents University, Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, United States.
authors.forename: Selina A
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4810-3853
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Graduate Education in Public Health, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
authors.forename: Mechelle D
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6048-7613
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Claridy
authors.affiliation: SISTAAH Talk, Breast Cancer Support Group, for Women of Color, Miami, FL, United States.
authors.forename: Mary Smith
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1142-5026
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, United States.
authors.forename: Joyce Q
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1536-3325
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Sheats
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public & Preventive Health, College of Dental Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, United States.
authors.forename: Wonsuk
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2414-2399
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
authors.forename: Ernest A
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2186-0232
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Alema-Mensah
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public & Preventive Health, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, United States.
authors.forename: Benjamin E-O
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1285-974X
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Ansa
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health, Department of Health Science and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, United States.
authors.forename: Steven S
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1704-0466
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Coughlin
keywords: African Americans; breast cancer; cancer survivors; nutrition; physical activity