Impact of lifestyle factors on prognosis among breast cancer survivors in the USA

Abstract

Advances in diagnostic screening and adjuvant therapy have dramatically increased the number of breast cancer survivors in the USA, who may face changes in physical and mental health, social support, quality of life and economics. Women living with breast cancer are increasingly interested in lifestyle modification to decrease the risk of recurrence and mortality while increasing physical and emotional wellbeing. Although organizations such as the American Cancer Society support a healthy diet, frequent physical activity and stress reduction for decreasing breast cancer risk, studies examining the effects of lifestyle on clinical outcomes including survival and prognosis have been inconclusive. With the number of breast cancer survivors predicted to increase to 3.4 million by 2015, it is important to develop effective treatment paradigms that overcome barriers to behavioral modification to improve clinical outcomes and survivorship in breast cancer patients.

Keywords::

• breast cancer
• diet
• lifestyle modification
• physical activity
• quality of life
• stress management
• survivors

Disclaimer

The opinion and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as representing the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the US Department of Defense (Military Molecular Medicine Initiative MDA W81XWH-05-2-0075, protocol #01-20006) and was performed under the auspices of the Clinical Breast Care Project, a joint effort of many investigators and staff members whose contributions are gratefully acknowledged. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.