Project Summary​

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.