Clinical Trial - The Breast Cancer Weight Loss (BWEL) study

besa

"Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Fitbit today announced a partnership to support a potentially ground-breaking study that investigates the impact of weight loss on breast cancerrecurrence. The Breast Cancer Weight Loss (BWEL) study, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, will enroll nearly 3,200 overweight and obese women with early stage breast cancer to test if weight loss can help prevent their disease from returning. The study will begin in August 2016 and enroll women with breast cancer through oncology practices across the Unites States and Canada. Fitbit is donating specific products that will help participants stay motivated and engaged while tracking their weight loss journey and allow their coaches to make sure participants meet their weight loss and fitness goals.".......

"....Participants in the BWEL study will be randomized to a two-year weight loss intervention, plus either a health education program designed to provide information about breast cancer topics, or to a health education program-alone control group. Patients in the weight loss group will work with a health coach over the phone to help them increase their exercise and reduce calories. Fitbit Charge HR and the Aria Wi-Fi scale are being provided to help patients track progress throughout the study and help them to stay motivated to meet their goals. Coaches will receive the participant's data with their explicit consent to see how they are doing, give encouragement and a little nudge when needed to help participants stay on track."

http://www.dana-farber.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/dana-farber-cancer-institute-and-fitbit-partner-to-test-if-weight-loss-prevent-breast-cancer-recurrence.aspx

http://doctors.dana-farber.org/directory/profile.asp?pict_id=0000325

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/06/27/putting-breast-cancer-on-a-diet/?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=sectionfront

solfeo

I sure hope they find some benefit. I was morbidly obese at diagnosis and have worked very hard to lose the weight, counting on it to decrease my recurrence risk. I would have loved to participate in this study but I am very near goal now so it is too late for me.

Meow13

I was 5 feet 4 inches and 125 pounds at diagnosis and in great health. I wish they would spend money on cures.

No smoker and non drinker, it really pisses me off, the victim blame game. Did you see Biden is treating funding cuts for cancer research groups that hide information?

Everybody knows if you are a healthy weight and exercise regularly it is an overall health benefit, cancer isn't about being unhealthy. I just want to scream.

Meow13

solfeo, congratulations on your weight loss, I am sure it can't hurt your recurrence chances.

wallycat

Meow13, I hear your angst.

I was 5'4" and 113 pounds at diagnosis...20+ years not smoking, exercised 2 hours/day...blah, blah....

Solfeo, congrats on the weight loss. Even if it has no impact on the cancer, your knees, joints, heart and other organs will be grateful to you!

Claire_in_Seattle

Major congrats Solfeo!!! The important thing is that you got there and figured it out on your own. Agree with Wallycat about the rest of your body thanking you although probably not your wallet after you restock your wardrobe. On top of the obvious health benefits, make sure you have fun with your new look and try new things.

I agree that way too much blame is placed on the person who got cancer, as so much of this is just random bad luck.

Having said this, my mother suffered from bad hips and ended up with uneven legs following surgery. She walked (with 2 canes!!!) every single day. She got to see the outdoors and garden, doing all the things she loved doing. Her brother spent the end of his life in a wheelchair.

So exercise is about a lot more than surviving cancer. - Claire