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Volume 1:
No. 2, April 2004
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
ORIGINAL RESEARCH: FEATURED
ABSTRACT FROM THE 18TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHRONIC DISEASE
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Using Exercise for Risk
Reduction in African American Breast Cancer Survivors: A Community-based
Pilot Study
DB Wilson, JS Porter, G Parker, TJ Smith, J Kilpatrick
Suggested citation for this article: Wilson DB,
Porter JS, Parker G, Smith TJ, Kilpatrick J. Using exercise for risk reduction in
African American breast cancer survivors: a community-based pilot study
[abstract].
Prev Chronic Dis [serial online] 2004 Apr [date cited].
Available from: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2004/
apr/03_0034r.htm.
PEER REVIEWED
The objective of this study was to pilot test a low-impact exercise
program, Walking Counts!, for its effect on steps walked per day and body
mass index (BMI) in a population of African American breast cancer
survivors.
The Massey Cancer Center in Richmond, Va, partnered with community centers to offer a
walking intervention, designed by the study's primary investigator, to
high-risk breast cancer survivors. More than 60% of women report weight gain after
breast cancer diagnosis, increasing their risk of cancer recurrence and
other co-morbidities. Few studies have tested cognitive/behavioral healthy
lifestyle interventions in cancer survivors. This study was designed to
measure the impact of Walking Counts! on steps per day, BMI, and
related measures by providing skills, knowledge, and self-assessment for
African American women who have had breast cancer.
An 8-week intervention was held at community locations for African
American breast cancer survivors (n = 23) aged 30 to 70 years. Pedometers, a
walking scheduler/tracker, and informational/motivational sessions were
provided to participants to help them achieve 10,000 steps per
day. Data were collected at 3 points to examine changes in walking; BMI;
body fat percentage; waist, hip, and forearm circumferences; attitudes
toward exercise; cancer stress; and related demographic measures.
Pre- and post-intervention impact included statistically significant
increases in steps per day (P = .001), as well as decreases in BMI (P = .004),
body weight (P = .006), percent body fat (P = .002), and waist (P = .035)
and forearm (P = .005) circumferences. Increased positive perception of
exercising was also reported. Follow-up data, including 3-month
post-intervention data, will be presented
to identify characteristics related to successful outcomes.
Increasing walking for exercise, without making other changes, can
improve attitudes and anthropometric measures, which may help
reduce risk of cancer recurrence. The high retention rate (95%), along with
positive study outcomes, indicate that breast cancer survivors are
motivated to improve their health habits.
Corresponding Author: Diane Wilson, EdD, MS, RD, Associate
Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Internal
Medicine/Massey Cancer Center, 1200 E Broad St, West Hospital W10-402, PO
Box 980306, Richmond, VA 23298-0306. Telephone: 804-828-9891. E-mail:
dbwilson@vcu.edu.
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