Breast cancer in both Guam and Hawai‘i is the second highest contributor to cancer mortality. Obesity disproportionately affects women of various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, where rates of obesity among Native Hawaiian and CHamoru women are greater than non-Hispanic White and Filipino counterparts, respectively. Obese women diagnosed with breast cancer have an increased relative risk for recurrence (40 to 50%) and mortality (53 to 60%). Research on cancer survivorship has been independently linked to better survival after breast cancer with a healthy body weight, physical activity, a high fiber diet, and a lower intake of saturated fat. Collectively, physical activity and a healthy diet pattern contribute to a healthy body weight. Evidence suggests that lifestyle interventions that lead to weight loss can reduce breast cancer recurrence, yet no comprehensive lifestyle intervention exists for Guam and Hawai‘i.
Our work will use community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches to develop a culturally-acceptable, place-based intervention framework for the prevention of breast cancer recurrence that marries traditional and modern foods, activities, and supports respective to each site – Guam and Hawai‘i. This knowledge will inform a more appealing and accessible comprehensive lifestyle intervention than current national recommendations to disparate populations, like Native Hawaiian, CHamoru, and Filipino women.
Specific Aims
- Identify and verify evidence-based obesity prevention intervention components and delivery settings for breast cancer survivorship using key informant interviews.
- Identify facilitators and barriers across the SEM for the settings and intervention components to develop an obesity intervention framework for Native Hawaiian, CHamoru and Filipina breast cancer survivors in Guam and Hawai‘i through focus groups.
