1.
Effects of a web-based expert support self-management program (WEST) for women with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial.
Kim, HJ, Kim, HS
Journal of telemedicine and telecare. 2020;(7-8):433-442
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study was a randomized controlled trial that examined the effects of a web-based expert support self-management program (WEST) on metabolic syndrome risk factors and self-efficacy among Korean women with breast cancer. METHODS Participants were 60 women with breast cancer (30 participants each in both the experimental and control groups) who also had metabolic risk factors. WEST is based on the self-efficacy theory and is a self-health management program consisting of a web-based program, DIETEX (which entails keeping a health diary, identifying a lifestyle type, inputting personal health information), and expert support. WEST was provided to the experimental group once a week for 24 weeks. Metabolic syndrome risk factors and self-efficacy of the experimental and control groups were examined pre-intervention and at 12 and 24 weeks after intervention. RESULTS The decreases in body fat, body fat percentage, and waist circumference were greater in the experimental group than in the control group at 24 weeks (p = 0.019, p = 0.025, and p = 0.038, respectively). DISCUSSION The present study can provide basic data for the development and application of interventions for women with breast cancer in the future. Additionally, we propose that WEST be included in the treatment process to complement the intervention of medical personnel for improving metabolic risk factors in women with breast cancer.
2.
Monitoring Vitamin B12 in Women Treated with Metformin for Primary Prevention of Breast Cancer and Age-Related Chronic Diseases.
Mastroianni, A, Ciniselli, CM, Panella, R, Macciotta, A, Cavalleri, A, Venturelli, E, Taverna, F, Mazzocchi, A, Bruno, E, Muti, P, et al
Nutrients. 2019;(5)
Abstract
Metformin (MET) is currently being used in several trials for cancer prevention or treatment in non-diabetics. However, long-term MET use in diabetics is associated with lower serum levels of total vitamin B12. In a pilot randomized controlled trial of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and MET, whose participants were characterized by different components of metabolic syndrome, we tested the effect of MET on serum levels of B12, holo transcobalamin II (holo-TC-II), and methylmalonic acid (MMA). The study was conducted on 165 women receiving MET or placebo for three years. Results of the study indicate a significant overall reduction in both serum total B12 and holo-TC-II levels according with MET-treatment. In particular, in the MET group 26 of 81 patients and 10 of the 84 placebo-treated subjects had B12 below the normal threshold (<221 pmol/L) at the end of the study. Considering jointly all B12, Holo-TC-II, and MMA, 13 of the 165 subjects (10 MET and 3 placebo-treated) had at least two deficits in the biochemical parameters at the end of the study, without reporting clinical signs. Although our results do not affect whether women remain in the trial, B12 monitoring for MET-treated individuals should be implemented.
3.
Metabolic syndrome and postmenopausal breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Esposito, K, Chiodini, P, Capuano, A, Bellastella, G, Maiorino, MI, Rafaniello, C, Giugliano, D
Menopause (New York, N.Y.). 2013;(12):1301-9
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The role of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its individual components in postmenopausal breast cancer (PBC) risk is still unclear. We reviewed and summarized epidemiological studies assessing the association of MS with the risk of PBC. METHODS We conducted an electronic search, without restrictions, for articles published before October 31, 2012. Every included study was to report risk estimates with 95% CIs for the association between MS and PBC. Study-specific estimates were pooled using random-effects models. RESULTS Nine articles (with 6,417 cancer cases), all published in English, were included in the meta-analysis. MS was associated with a 52% increase in cancer risk (P < 0.001)-for the most part confined to noncohort studies (109% increased risk); the risk estimates changed little, depending on populations (United States and Europe) and definition of the syndrome (traditional vs nontraditional). The risk estimates for PBC were 1.12 (P = 0.068) for higher values of body mass index/waist circumference, 1.19 (P = 0.005) for hyperglycemia (higher fasting glucose or diabetes), 1.13 (P = 0.027) for higher blood pressure, 1.08 (P = 0.248) for higher triglycerides, and 1.39 (P = 0.008) for lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. All these estimates were lower than those associated with MS in the same studies. CONCLUSIONS MS is associated with a moderately increased risk of PBC. No single component explains the risk conveyed by the full syndrome.
4.
The effect of aerobic exercise on metabolic and inflammatory markers in breast cancer survivors--a pilot study.
Guinan, E, Hussey, J, Broderick, JM, Lithander, FE, O'Donnell, D, Kennedy, MJ, Connolly, EM
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. 2013;(7):1983-92
Abstract
PURPOSE Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer development and recurrence. There are several hypothesised mechanisms for this including positive effects on metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers and favourable changes in anthropometric variables. This pilot study examined the effect of an 8-week aerobic exercise intervention on several of these outcomes, including body composition, the metabolic syndrome, C-reactive protein (CRP) and physical activity, in breast cancer survivors 2-6 months post-chemotherapy. METHODS Assessments were completed at baseline, at 8-weeks and 3-months post-intervention. Measures taken following a 12-h fast included body composition (bioimpedance analysis), metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and fasting glucose), insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment), CRP and physical activity (accelerometry and questionnaire). Participants were randomized to either an 8-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise group or a usual-care control group. Analysis was completed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p = 0.05). RESULTS Twenty-six breast cancer survivors participated (mean (standard deviation) age 48.1 (8.8) years, exercise group; n = 16, control group; n = 10). At baseline, 13 participants were overweight, 6 were obese and 19 centrally obese. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no significant differences between the exercise and control groups in any of the outcomes measures; however, analysis of those who adhered to >90 % of the supervised exercise class showed a significant decrease in waist circumference (p = 0.05) and a significant increase in subjectively reported "total weekly" (p = 0.005) activity. CONCLUSION While this 8-week aerobic exercise pilot intervention did not elicit significant improvements in biomarkers of breast cancer risk, there was some suggestion of improvements in waist circumference and subjectively measured physical activity in participants with >90 % adherence to the programme. A trial of longer duration and greater subject numbers is warranted.