Analysis of the Relationship between Diet and Exercise Beliefs and Actual Behaviors among Breast Cancer Survivors in Northwest Ohio
Introduction Studies have shown that a diet high in fruit and vegetable intake, as well as a routine including daily exercise or physical activity, can independently affect relapse rates and survivorship in breast cancer patients. Fruits and vegetables contain powerful anti-oxidant molecules, capabl...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2010-01-01
|
| Series: | Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4137/BCBCR.S4146 |
| _version_ | 1828532747636834304 |
|---|---|
| author | Jeffrey G. Weiner Timothy R. Jordan Amy J. Thompson Brian N. Fink |
| author_facet | Jeffrey G. Weiner Timothy R. Jordan Amy J. Thompson Brian N. Fink |
| author_sort | Jeffrey G. Weiner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Studies have shown that a diet high in fruit and vegetable intake, as well as a routine including daily exercise or physical activity, can independently affect relapse rates and survivorship in breast cancer patients. Fruits and vegetables contain powerful anti-oxidant molecules, capable of preventing tumor formation and proliferation. Exercise can lower circulating levels of estrogen, the female hormone responsible for tumor proliferation in the estrogen-sensitive form of the disease. The most beneficial results have been shown in women who exercise and consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. We studied the attitudes towards and behaviors related to fruit and vegetable intake and exercise in a cohort of breast cancer survivors in northwest Ohio. Materials and Methods Data were gathered from a survey sent out by the Northwest Ohio Branch of the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation. We assessed and evaluated survivors’ self-reported beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors regarding exercise and fruit and vegetable intake. Results Nearly half of the survivors (46.5%) reported being unsure or in disagreement with the statement “Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables per day will reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.” Only 46.8% of those in agreement with the previous statement actually report eating at least 5 fruits and/or vegetables per day. With respect to exercise, 32.9% reported being unsure or in disagreement with the statement “Engaging in regular physical activity will reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.” Only 68.5% of those in agreement with the previous statement report any physical activity in the past 30 days. Conclusions Many breast cancer survivors do not appear to be aware of the benefits of diet and exercise. Further, a large proportion of those who are aware of the benefits do not adapt a healthy diet and exercise as part of their lifestyle. A majority of these survivors see a primary care physician, which we believe is the best venue to bridge this education gap. It is apparent by the pattern our data shows that more needs to be done to educate breast cancer survivors about the benefits of exercise and fruit and vegetable intake. Steps need to be taken to ensure that those who are educated also remain motivated to engage in a healthy lifestyle with the hopes of avoiding breast cancer recurrence. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T22:57:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-09277b5d185d49958df2b5a5eae76ae1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1178-2234 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T22:57:38Z |
| publishDate | 2010-01-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-09277b5d185d49958df2b5a5eae76ae12022-12-22T00:47:11ZengSAGE PublishingBreast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research1178-22342010-01-01410.4137/BCBCR.S4146Analysis of the Relationship between Diet and Exercise Beliefs and Actual Behaviors among Breast Cancer Survivors in Northwest OhioJeffrey G. Weiner0Timothy R. Jordan1Amy J. Thompson2Brian N. Fink3Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA.Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA.Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA.Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA.Introduction Studies have shown that a diet high in fruit and vegetable intake, as well as a routine including daily exercise or physical activity, can independently affect relapse rates and survivorship in breast cancer patients. Fruits and vegetables contain powerful anti-oxidant molecules, capable of preventing tumor formation and proliferation. Exercise can lower circulating levels of estrogen, the female hormone responsible for tumor proliferation in the estrogen-sensitive form of the disease. The most beneficial results have been shown in women who exercise and consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. We studied the attitudes towards and behaviors related to fruit and vegetable intake and exercise in a cohort of breast cancer survivors in northwest Ohio. Materials and Methods Data were gathered from a survey sent out by the Northwest Ohio Branch of the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation. We assessed and evaluated survivors’ self-reported beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors regarding exercise and fruit and vegetable intake. Results Nearly half of the survivors (46.5%) reported being unsure or in disagreement with the statement “Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables per day will reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.” Only 46.8% of those in agreement with the previous statement actually report eating at least 5 fruits and/or vegetables per day. With respect to exercise, 32.9% reported being unsure or in disagreement with the statement “Engaging in regular physical activity will reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.” Only 68.5% of those in agreement with the previous statement report any physical activity in the past 30 days. Conclusions Many breast cancer survivors do not appear to be aware of the benefits of diet and exercise. Further, a large proportion of those who are aware of the benefits do not adapt a healthy diet and exercise as part of their lifestyle. A majority of these survivors see a primary care physician, which we believe is the best venue to bridge this education gap. It is apparent by the pattern our data shows that more needs to be done to educate breast cancer survivors about the benefits of exercise and fruit and vegetable intake. Steps need to be taken to ensure that those who are educated also remain motivated to engage in a healthy lifestyle with the hopes of avoiding breast cancer recurrence.https://doi.org/10.4137/BCBCR.S4146 |
| spellingShingle | Jeffrey G. Weiner Timothy R. Jordan Amy J. Thompson Brian N. Fink Analysis of the Relationship between Diet and Exercise Beliefs and Actual Behaviors among Breast Cancer Survivors in Northwest Ohio Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research |
| title | Analysis of the Relationship between Diet and Exercise Beliefs and Actual Behaviors among Breast Cancer Survivors in Northwest Ohio |
| title_full | Analysis of the Relationship between Diet and Exercise Beliefs and Actual Behaviors among Breast Cancer Survivors in Northwest Ohio |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of the Relationship between Diet and Exercise Beliefs and Actual Behaviors among Breast Cancer Survivors in Northwest Ohio |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of the Relationship between Diet and Exercise Beliefs and Actual Behaviors among Breast Cancer Survivors in Northwest Ohio |
| title_short | Analysis of the Relationship between Diet and Exercise Beliefs and Actual Behaviors among Breast Cancer Survivors in Northwest Ohio |
| title_sort | analysis of the relationship between diet and exercise beliefs and actual behaviors among breast cancer survivors in northwest ohio |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4137/BCBCR.S4146 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jeffreygweiner analysisoftherelationshipbetweendietandexercisebeliefsandactualbehaviorsamongbreastcancersurvivorsinnorthwestohio AT timothyrjordan analysisoftherelationshipbetweendietandexercisebeliefsandactualbehaviorsamongbreastcancersurvivorsinnorthwestohio AT amyjthompson analysisoftherelationshipbetweendietandexercisebeliefsandactualbehaviorsamongbreastcancersurvivorsinnorthwestohio AT briannfink analysisoftherelationshipbetweendietandexercisebeliefsandactualbehaviorsamongbreastcancersurvivorsinnorthwestohio |