The Malaysian Breast Cancer Survivorship Cohort (MyBCC): a study protocol.
BACKGROUND
Over recent decades, the burden of breast cancer has been increasing at an alarming rate in Asia. Prognostic research findings from Western countries may not readily be adapted to Asia, as the outcome of breast cancer depends on a multitude of factors ranging from genetic, clinical and histological predictors, to lifestyle and social predictors. The primary aim of this study is to determine the impact of lifestyle (eg, nutrition, physical activity), mental and sociocultural condition, on the overall survival and quality of life (QoL) among multiethnic Malaysian women following diagnosis of breast cancer. This study aims to advance the evidence on prognostic factors of breast cancer within the Asian setting. The findings may guide management of patients with breast cancer not only during active treatment but also during the survivorship period.


METHODS
This hospital-based prospective cohort study will comprise patients with breast cancer (18 years and above), managed in the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). We aim to recruit 1000 cancer survivors over a 6-year period. Data collection will occur at baseline (within 3 months of diagnosis), 6 months, and 1, 3 and 5 years following diagnosis. The primary outcomes are disease-free survival and overall survival, and secondary outcome is QoL. Factors measured are demographic and socioeconomic factors, lifestyle factors (eg, dietary intake, physical activity), anthropometry measurements (eg, height, weight, waist, hip circumference, body fat analysis), psychosocial aspects, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage.


BACKGROUND
This protocol was approved by the UMMC Ethical Committee in January 2012. All participants are required to provide written informed consent. The findings from our cohort study will be disseminated via scientific publication as well as presentation to stakeholders including the patients, clinicians, the public and policymakers, via appropriate avenues.
Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Population Health (CePH) and Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tania
T
Islam
Faculty of Medicine, Julius Centre University of Malaya, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Nirmala
N
Bhoo-Pathy
Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Population Health (CePH) and Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tin Tin
TT
Su
Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Population Health (CePH) and Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Hazreen Abdul
HA
Majid
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Sports Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Azmi Mohd
AM
Nahar
Department of Psychological Medicine, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Chong Guan
CG
Ng
Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Population Health (CePH) and Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Maznah
M
Dahlui
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Samsinah
S
Hussain
Centre for Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, Ireland.
Marie
M
Cantwell
Centre for Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, Ireland.
Liam
L
Murray
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Nur Aishah
NA
Taib
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001835:Body Weight; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008296:Malaysia; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
Malaysia; breast cancer; cohort; lifestyle; survivor