Abstract B5: Cultural factors in obesity in African American women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer Free

B5

Obesity is an important risk factor for breast cancer, which disproportionately affects African American women. For women who have a personal or family history of disease that is suggestive of hereditary cancer, obesity may be particularly problematic. However, empirical data are not available on rates and correlates of obesity in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify factors having significant independent associations with obesity in African American women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer. Subjects were 126 African American women who had a personal and/or family history of breast cancer that was suggestive of BRCA1/2 mutations. Obesity was determined by self-report during a structured telephone interview. Reproductive factors (e.g., age at menarche), cultural beliefs (e.g., temporal orientation), and cancer-specific distress were also evaluated during the telephone interview. Overall, 43% of women were obese. Women who had a younger age at menarche were about four times more likely to be obese compared to women who had their first menstrual period at an older age (OR=3.88, 95% CI=1.65, 9.15, p=0.002). Obesity was also associated with greater levels of present temporal orientation (OR=0.67, 95% CI=0.46, 0.99, p=0.05). Intrusive thoughts about cancer was marginally related to obesity (OR=1.46, 95% CI=0.99, 2.15, p=0.06). The results of this study suggest that attention to cultural factors should be given in programs designed to address obesity among African American women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B5.