Introduction:
Of the 19,000+ women diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia annually, 20% are diagnosed in pre-menopausal women. These women are more commonly diagnosed at a later stage, requiring more aggressive treatment such as chemotherapy, which is associated with a greater range and severity of side effects including premature menopause and weight gain. Weight management interventions during and following treatment, observe less weight loss/more weight gain in premenopausal women compared to their postmenopausal counterparts. This study aimed to explore women’s experience with weight and dietary changes following diagnosis and their weight management support needs.
Method:
Eligible women (premenopausal at diagnosis; stage I-III breast cancer in the past 5 years; treated with chemotherapy; and completed primary treatment) were recruited through Breast Cancer Network Australia, Facebook groups, and a young women’s breast cancer charity. Women participated in semi-structured telephone interviews answering questions about their treatment, side effects, and how their diet and weight may have changed following diagnosis.
Results:
Nineteen women (mean age 40.6±6.5 years at diagnosis) were interviewed (duration range: 57 to 137 minutes). Weight gain women experienced was described as unexpected and persistent. During treatment, women chose foods they were able to tolerate, and friends or family often prepared their meals. Most women at the time of the interview were actively dieting, but described competing priorities such as full-time work and young children to care for. Women expressed a desire for dietary information, particularly during chemotherapy treatment to manage side effects. Following treatment, women wanted weight management support to improve overall health and reduce recurrence. However, flexibility was needed in attending programs due to work and family responsibilities.
Conclusion:
This study provides new insights into younger women’s reasons for dietary change following diagnosis and their experience with weight gain. Women highlighted gaps in weight management support, particularly following treatment.