ASPO Abstracts
Recruiting participants to a randomized controlled trial of a diet and physical activity intervention among Latina breast cancer survivors
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Cancer survivors are recommended to consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables (F/V) and engage in >150
minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Most Latina breast cancer (BC) survivors do
not meet the guidelines and many lack the knowledge/skills needed to sustain diet and PA changes. The Mi Vida
Saludable study is a randomized, controlled, 2x2 factorial trial testing the effects of a behavioral, in-person and
electronic health (eHealth) communication program on changing diet and PA behaviors in Latina BC survivors
(R01CA186080, PI: H Greenlee). The primary aims of the trial are to test the effects of the intervention on
changing daily intake of F/V and MVPA from baseline to 12 months.
Latina BC survivors were identified via medical records, physician referral, and community events in NYC and
screened by phone for eligibility. Eligibility criteria included, stage 0-III BC diagnosis, no evidence of recurrent or
metastatic disease, >90 days post-treatment, low intake of F/V (<5 daily servings) or low level of MVPA (<150
minutes/week) and being able/willing to participate. Eligible women were randomized to one of four study arms: A)
in-person group classes (classroom education, cooking class, PA session, food shopping trips), B) eHealth
communication (text messages, newsletters, website) alone, C) in-person classes plus eHealth, or D) control.
Participants were enrolled between July 2016 and March 2019. Of 884 women screened, 27% were eligible.
Primary reasons for ineligibility were not being able to participate due to work/life responsibilities (26%) or health
reasons (12%), not being willing to participate (23%), or not being able to receive email/text messages (8%). A
total of 167 women were randomized into the study, representing more than 11 Latin American nationalities.
Women were on average 56 years old, 54% reported college education or higher, and 56% had an annual income
of $15,000 or less.
The study met its accrual goal and successfully recruited and enrolled a diverse group of Latina breast cancer
survivors primarily via medical records and physician referrals. If effective, the Mi Vida Saludable program will
provide BC survivors and cancer centers with scalable tools to promote sustained lifestyle behavior change.
Keywords: Breast cancer survivors, Diet, eHealth, Latina, Physical Activity