WE SURE CAN
Research type
Research Study
Full title
WE SURE CAN: WEight loss to SUppoRt brEast CANcer survival
IRAS ID
296485
Contact name
Rebecca Beeken
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN12000313
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 0 days
Research summary
Women diagnosed with breast cancer who carry excess weight are more likely to be later diagnosed with another breast cancer than women with lower body weight. Excess weight is linked with worse overall health, and poorer quality of life. There is some evidence that weight loss could improve the chances of surviving breast cancer, but trials are needed.
We aim to test a Total Diet Replacement (TDR) weight loss programme. 88 women will be randomised to either receive the TDR (provided by Counterweight), or enhanced usual care (EUC).
TDR: Over 3 months, women will receive support from a trained advisor while they use nutritionally balanced meal replacement products, such as shakes and soups, to reduce calorie intake to 810 calories per day. This is followed by 3 months of gradual, supported food reintroduction and 6 months of a weight maintenance programme. This programme has been shown to support greater weight loss than other diets, and has improved the health of people with other diseases, such as diabetes.
EUC: Women will receive the 10 Top Tips leaflet (a leaflet detailing habit-based weight loss advice) plus a 20minute phone call discussing the leaflet.
Our trial will be the first to test this diet in women with breast cancer. Our long-term aim is to see if weight loss achieved with TDR can improve the chances of surviving breast cancer. The aim of the current trial is to see whether women with breast cancer are willing to take part in a study testing this diet, if they are able to follow the diet as recommended, and if it helps them to lose weight.
If we are successful, we will test the TDR in a larger trial, to determine if it can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
21/WA/0125
Date of REC Opinion
28 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion