title: The Living Well after Breast Cancer™ Pilot Trial: a weight loss intervention for women following treatment for breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obesity is associated with poor prognosis and risk of treatment side-effects in breast cancer survivors. This pilot study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, safety and efficacy of a telephone-delivered weight loss intervention, among women (BMI 25-40 kg/m2) following treatment for stage I-III breast cancer, on weight loss (primary outcome), quality of life and treatment-related side-effects (vs usual care).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety women (mean ± SD age: 55.3 ± 8.7years; BMI: 31.0 ± 4.3 kg/m2; 15.9 ± 2.9 months postdiagnosis), recruited from a state-based cancer registry, were randomized to a weight loss (diet and physical activity) intervention (n = 45) or usual care (n = 45). Data collected at baseline and 6 months included weight, body composition, quality of life, fatigue and body image. Acceptability and satisfaction were assessed in intervention participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oncologists provided consent to contact 82.6% of patients, with 84.1% of those women contacted and eligible consenting to participate. Compared with usual care, mean weight loss was significantly greater in the intervention arm (-3.1 kg [95% CI, -5.4 to -0.7]; -3.7% baseline weight [95% CI, -6.6 to -0.9]), as were reductions in fat mass (-2.1 kg [95% CI, -4.2 to -0.1]) and waist circumference (-4.0 cm [95% CI, -6.6 to -1.3]). No other statistically significant intervention effects were observed. Participants were highly satisfied with the intervention overall and it is timing in relation to diagnosis/treatment. One reported adverse event (musculoskeletal injury) was attributable to the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This weight loss intervention was feasible, acceptable, safe and effective for women 1-2 years after a breast cancer diagnosis. The effect of weight loss on quality of life and treatment-related side-effects should be examined further in fully-powered studies.
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Cancer Prevention Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Cancer Prevention Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.affiliation: Icon Cancer Care, Wesley, Queensland, Australia.|School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mccarthy
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Cancer Prevention Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Sheleigh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lawler
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Cancer Prevention Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Terranova
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Sandi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janda
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Demark-Wahnefried
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Cancer Prevention Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eakin
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: breast cancer survivors; diet; obesity; physical activity; quality of life