Effect of lifestyle on secondary prevention of breast cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Examine the relationship between lifestyle changes with the secondary prevention of breast cancer.
IRAS ID
198773
Contact name
Jennifer Darnborough
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Certain changes to lifestyle, following a diagnosis of breast cancer can affect disease recurrence and mortality. The lifestyle factors most strongly and consistently associated with breast cancer recurrence risk are physical activity, intake of alcohol & smoking and obesity. Considering the burden of disease in Scotland, UK and worldwide; there is a need to understand how these factors and modification of them would affect morbidity and recurrence of breast cancers and how women themselves assimilate this information. It is also important to understand women’s motivation and ability to make
recommended behaviour changes to reduce their risk of disease recurrence. This study involves a mixed methodology to explore these issues.
The first part is qualitative in nature and explores, through focus groups, the views and understanding of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer about lifestyle factors’ influence on morbidity and mortality from the disease as well as their motivation and ability to modify their lifestyles based upon this knowledge.
As part of the research the researcher will model the potential net gain at a population level in improved health in terms of disease survival should all women diagnosed with breast cancer successfully follow all relevant lifestyle advice and bring about desired change.
The second quantitative part of the research is to look at serial BMIs, as a marker of women’s ability (where motivated to make change) to make meaningful lifestyle change in a real world setting.
If participants consent to take part in the research, the researcher would be present during one of their consultations and follow up with the breast surgeons/nurses. Following this, participants would be invited to join a focus group discussion involving 5-6 individuals which would explore women's understanding of lifestyle changes and the potential for impact upon their health following a breast cancer diagnosis and their motivation and ability to make changes in their diet and physical activity (adoption of healthier choices post diagnosis) and how likely they are to continue with modification once treatment is over. The group would be conducted once and at a location and time convenient to all participants and would last for no longer than 1 hour.
With consent, the discussion will be audio taped for purposes of later reference and transcription and the tapes would later be destroyed.REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1019
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion