Studies Suggest Overweight Women Could be at Risk for Recurrence

The Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the University of California San Diego is conducting a study on healthy weight management, physical activity and eating attitudes and behaviors in women who are at risk for breast cancer recurrence. The Breast Cancer Survivors in SHAPE (Survivors’ Health And Physical Exercise) Study is recruiting 253 women who:

1. Are 18 years of age and older
2. Are overweight
3. Have been diagnosed with Stage 0-IIIA breast cancer within the previous fifteen years
4. Have completed initial treatments (i.e., surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, radiation)
5. Women who have a willingness and ability to attend group meetings and to maintain contact with the investigators for two years.
6. Women who are able to provide dietary data and physical activity by telephone at prescribed intervals.

Results from previous studies suggest that a caloric imbalance and reduction in lean body mass often follows a diagnosis of breast cancer due to periods of reduced physical activity, especially during initial treatments. In addition, many women have unhealthy attitudes about eating and body weight. The UCSD SHAPE study will help them learn more healthful attitudes and behaviors to improve and promote long-term weight control.

The aim of the study, which is funded by the American Cancer Society, is to determine the effectiveness of a new multifaceted intervention program that promotes healthy weight loss and maintenance of that weight loss in overweight breast cancer survivors.

Participants must be willing and able to attend group meetings and to maintain contact with study investigators for two years. They will receive information on health issues and contribute to the scientific understanding of healthy weight management for future breast cancer patients.

For additional information, or to enroll in the SHAPE study, please call (858)822-6164.