Research Study to Examine Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Survivors

• By Suzanna Cisneros
• October 4, 2016

Researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine are looking at how changing unhealthy eating and exercise habits can affect blood biomarkers in breast cancer survivors.

 

Leslie Shen, Ph.D., a professor in the TTUHSC Department of Pathology, said preventing or reducing obesity is one factor that has been hailed as a way to improve quality of life, reduce recurrence and increase survival rates among breast cancer survivors.

 

“As breast cancer survival rates increase and undesirable treatment-related side effects become major health concerns, an improved rehabilitation program for breast cancer survivors is needed,” Shen said. “Improved behavior and stress biomarkers are therefore important goals of breast cancer rehabilitation programs. However, many patients are not interested in participating in standard care, and many either are not physically active or have difficulty adhering to traditional modes of exercise programs. Therefore, this study will emphasize the compliance through a healthy behavior intervention via mobile media on behavioral and knowledge outcomes and these outcomes that have significant impact on breast cancer survivors.”

 

Conrad Lyford, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Texas Tech University and research co-investigator, said an experienced team of multi-disciplinary researchers has developed an innovative and unique approach to encourage enhanced nutrition and exercise behaviors in this population using principles of behavioral economics.

 

“In particular, the use of social norms has been shown in other applications to be effective, and if successful in this population could be inexpensively scaled up for widespread adoption,” Lyford said.

 

The study includes a system of text messages for social/mobile media that will provide ongoing reinforcement of desired behavior in breast cancer survivors. These messages would focus on achieving compliance with the expert-developed nutrition and exercise recommendations of the American Cancer Society.

 

In the main study, 310 breast cancer survivors will be randomly placed in intervention and control groups for the 12-week study. Behavior change will be measured using established measures of self-reported behavior. 

 

In a sub-study, 60 of the breast cancer survivor participants will provide blood and urine samples so changes in biomarkers can be assessed. The impact of the study will be measured by biomarkers and self-reported survey responses.

 

Inclusion criteria:

• Female
• Age: 20 - 75 years old
• No current pregnancy or lactation
• Was diagnosed with Stage 0-IIIB disease and completed all local and systemic therapy (including Herceptin) at least 3 months prior to entry (Women can be on or off anti-hormone therapy)
• Ambulatory
• Willing to be randomized

                                                                

Exclusion criteria:                   

• Current participation in other treatment (chemo/radiotherapy) clinical trials
• Instructed by doctor not to exercise
• Cannot read English
• Not able to receive text messages

 

Funding for this study is provided by the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health and Texas Tech University. Participants who take part in the study will receive up to $50 in gift cards. For more information, visit breastcancerstudy.weebly.com or call (806) 370-0528.