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Breast Cancer and Obesity: a Qualitative Analysis of a Diverse Population of Breast Cancer Patients’ Perspectives on Weight Management

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Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Obesity and weight gain in breast cancer survivors leads to a greater risk of recurrence and a decreased chance of survival. A paucity of data exists regarding strengths, weaknesses, and barriers for implementing culturally sensitive, patient-centered interventions for weight management among minority communities. The objective of this study was to evaluate breast cancer patients’ experience and perspectives regarding weight management in a racially diverse population.

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with breast cancer patients with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 regarding their experience with weight management. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and a thematic analysis was conducted.

Results

Participants (n = 17) most commonly self-identified as non-Hispanic Black (70.6%). Nearly all participants felt comfortable being approached about weight management, yet less than half (41.2%) reported that they knew about the link between breast cancer and body weight prior to the interview. Four themes emerged: (1) lack of knowledge regarding the link between body weight and breast cancer risk, (2) barriers to weight management including family stressors, high cost, mental health issues, and chronic medical conditions, (3) previous attempts at weight loss including bariatric surgery, and (4) best practices for approaching weight management including discussion of weight management prior to survivorship.

Conclusion

There is a need for a multidisciplinary, patient-centered weight management program for minority breast cancer patients that improves awareness of the link between weight and breast cancer risk. Weight management should be introduced early on as an element of the treatment plan for breast cancer.

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Data Availability

Data generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the guidance of Dr. Laura Robbins regarding qualitative methodology and the support of the New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital multidisciplinary breast program.

Funding

Dr. Bea receives funding from the American Cancer Society and Pfizer. Dr. Newman receives funding from the Susan G. Komen and Fashion Footwear Association of New York Charitable Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, New York-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Genevieve A. Fasano, Solange Bayard, Josh Johnson & Lisa Newman

  2. Department of Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, 506 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11215, USA

    Ashley Gordon, Mia Harris, Evelyn Taiwo, Jennifer Yeung, Michael Zenilman & Vivian J. Bea

Authors
  1. Genevieve A. Fasano
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  2. Solange Bayard
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  9. Lisa Newman
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  10. Vivian J. Bea
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Genevieve Fasano, Josh Johnson, and Solange Bayard. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Genevieve Fasano and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vivian J. Bea.

Ethics declarations

Ethics Approval

The questionnaire and methodology for this study were performed in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The study was approved by the New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital Institutional Review Committee.

Consent to Participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Consent for publication of the work contained in the manuscript was obtained by all authors.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Fasano, G.A., Bayard, S., Johnson, J. et al. Breast Cancer and Obesity: a Qualitative Analysis of a Diverse Population of Breast Cancer Patients’ Perspectives on Weight Management. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 11, 826–833 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-023-01564-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-023-01564-y

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