Weight Fluctuation After Breast Cancer Treatment

The Royal Bournemouth Hospital250 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to identify and quantify the factors associated with excess weight gain following treatment for breast cancer. It is believed that breast cancer patients gain more than 4% of their weight at diagnosis which is likely accompanied by an increase in body fat and waist circumference. It is further thought that this excess weight and increase in body fat and waist circumference are associated to tumour characteristics, chemotherapy, menopause status at diagnosis and the presence of genes related to obesity. It is also thought that women treated with chemotherapy have higher levels of glucose and insulin.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

250

Conditions

Breast Cancer Weight Gain

Interventions

Fasting blood sample.PROCEDURE

Fasting blood sample taken following informed consent for genotyping, glucose and insulin levels.

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Females 18 years of age or older. * Diagnosed with breast cancer between 1/1/2003 and 31/12/2007. * Able to understand and willing to sign informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Known diagnosis of previous breast/other cancer (other than completely resected non-melanoma skin cancer or successfully treated in situ cancer of the cervix. * Known diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease or malabsorption syndrome. * Known diagnosis of endocrine problems associated with the development of obesity (cushings syndrome, hypo/hyperthyroid, thyroiditis) * Treatment for psychiatric disorders.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

To provide evidence of the relationship between weight gain following diagnosis of breast cancer and tumour characteristics, chemotherapy, menopause status at diagnosis and the presence of genes related to obesity.

Time frame: 12-18 months.