A randomized controlled trial of two mail-based lifestyle interventions for breast cancer survivors.
PURPOSE
Although breast cancer survivors' lifestyle choices affect their subsequent health, a majority do not engage in healthy behaviors. Because treatment end is a "teachable moment" for potentially altering lifestyle change for breast cancer survivors, we developed and tested two mail-based interventions for women who recently completed primary treatment.


METHODS
One hundred seventy-three survivors were randomly assigned to (1) Targeting the Teachable Moment (TTMI, n = 57), (2) Standard Lifestyle Management (SLM, n = 58), or (3) usual care (UC, n = 58) control group. Participants who were assigned to TTMI and SLM received relevant treatment materials biweekly for 4 months. Participants were assessed at baseline (T1, before randomization), post-treatment (T2, 4 months), and follow-up (T3, 7 months). Fruit and vegetable (F/V) intake, fat intake, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were assessed.


RESULTS
Results showed promise for these mail-based interventions for changes in health behaviors: Survivors in TTMI (+.47) and SLM (+.45) reported increased F/V intake, whereas those in UC (-.1) reported decreased F/V intake from T1 to T2. Changes in minutes of MVPA from T1 to T2 were higher in SLM than UC and marginally higher in TTMI than UC. However, these differences were due to decreased MVPA in UC rather than increased MVPA in the intervention groups. There were no group differences regarding fat intake. Survivors reported high satisfaction and preference for mail-based interventions, supporting feasibility.


CONCLUSIONS
Mail-based lifestyle interventions for breast cancer survivors may benefit F/V intake and physical activity. Further testing and optimizing of these interventions is warranted.
['Park|Crystal L|CL|', 'Cho|Dalnim|D|', 'Salner|Andrew L|AL|', 'Dornelas|Ellen|E|']
D001943:Breast Neoplasms D005260:Female D015438:Health Behavior D006801:Humans D008019:Life Style D008875:Middle Aged D011177:Postal Service D017741:Survivors
Teachable moment Mail-based intervention Physical activity Dietary behaviors