title: Randomized trial of a phone- and web-based weight loss program for women at elevated breast cancer risk: the HELP study.
abstract: Excess weight and physical inactivity are modifiable risk factors for breast cancer. Behavioral intervention is particularly important among women with an elevated risk profile. This trial tested an intervention that trained women to use a self-monitoring website to increase activity and lose weight. Women with BMI ≥27.5 kg/m(2) at elevated breast cancer risk were randomized to the intervention (N = 71) or usual care (N = 34). The intervention group received telephone-based coaching and used web-based self-monitoring tools. At 6 months, significant weight loss was observed in the intervention group (4.7 % loss from starting weight; SD = 4.7 %) relative to usual care (0.4 % gain; SD = 3.0 %) (p < 0.0001). By 12 months, the intervention group had lost 3.7 % of weight (SD = 5.4 %), compared to 1.3 % (SD = 4.2) for usual care (p = 0.003). At 12 months, accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increased by 12 min/day (SD = 24) compared to no change in usual care (p = 0.04. In summary, this web- and phone-based approach produced modest but significant improvements in weight and physical activity for women at elevated breast cancer risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2000 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA. lisa.bertram@wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cadmus-Bertram
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0901, USA.
authors.forename: Sandahl H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0901, USA.
authors.forename: Sheri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0901, USA.
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0901, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0901, USA.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pierce
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013689:Telephone; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Breast cancer; Internet; Physical activity; Self-monitoring; Technology; Weight loss