title: Cardiovascular risk and communication among early stage breast cancer survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  African American (AA) women have disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors that, coupled with potentially cardiotoxic breast cancer (BC) therapies, place them at risk of adverse CV outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess CV risk factors among white and AA BC survivors and perceptions of patient-provider CV-related communication and post-treatment information needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Early-stage, English-speaking BC survivors were recruited through community-based survivorship organizations/clinics in New Jersey. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews and a brief survey of socio-demographics and comorbidities were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BC survivors reported high rates of CV risk factors. Most reported their health as good/excellent despite their cancer history and CV risk profile. Approximately half of overweight/obese BC survivors reported no weight-related conversation with their health care team and, among those who reported discussion, 36% indicated it was self-initiated and dismissed. More than half of BC survivors' reported a desire for lifestyle-related information and guidance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BC survivors may not understand how their separate, yet cumulative, health issues can impact their CV risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient-provider communication on behavioral risk factor modification and CV risk is needed, particularly among at-risk subgroups such as AA and obese BC survivors, to improve BC and CV outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Behavioral Science, Rutgers, The State University, School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, United States; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States. Electronic address: christah@sph.rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Allison H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.affiliation: Rutgers School of Social Work, New Brunswick, NJ, United States.
authors.forename: Denalee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Malley
authors.affiliation: MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, United States.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barac
authors.affiliation: Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, United States; Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Somerset, NJ, United States.
authors.forename: Shawna V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Hudson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D000073116:Cancer Survivors; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Breast cancer; Cardiovascular; Communication; Obesity; Patient education; Risk