Abstract
Physical activity has been shown to improve quality of life, body composition, metabolic and physical function, and survival among cancer survivors. However, no studies have focused on Native American cancer survivors. Methods: Native cancer survivors and family members were enrolled in a 12-week multi-site, randomized supervised and home-based physical activity intervention (n = 63). The intervention includes 1d/wk supervised resistance, aerobic, flexibility, and balance and 2-3 days/wk of home-based exercise. National guidelines for survivorship exercise training were culturally tailored based focus groups and interviews, as well as cultural expert program review by representatives from 10 tribes. Preliminary descriptive statistics (mean, SD) and six and twelve week changes in weight (kg), fat mass (%), HbA1c (%), fitness by 6min walk test (meters), and quality of life by PROMIS10 questionnaire score have been assessed by paired t-test for survivors only (n = 30). Though currently under powered, data collection is ongoing and will be updated as participants complete the 12-week intervention. Results: Participants were 58.4 ± 12.2 years of age. Tumor types were breast (n = 7), colorectal (n = 7), stomach (n = 2), lung (n = 2), and other varied cancers. Reasons for loss to follow-up were: repeat surgeries or change in clinical care plan (n=3), loss of family members (n=1), and loss of contact (n=3). Comorbidities for cancer survivors included: diabetes (n=7), cardiovascular disease (N=13). Twenty-two Native cancer survivors have completed six weeks of intervention and 14 Native cancer survivors have completed twelve weeks of intervention thus far. Weight loss was significant at six weeks (-1.0 ± 2.2kg; p=0.04), but not twelve weeks. Fitness and quality of life were improved by twelve weeks, 31.9 ± 132m and 1.6±0.4, respectively, though not significant. Conclusions: Tailored exercise programs present opportunities to restore health and balance among Native cancer survivors. This ongoing trial will provide important information on the effects of physical activity in Native cancer survivorship, unaddressed to date.
Citation Format: Jennifer W Bea, Hendrik de Heer, Taylor Lane, Brenda Charley, Etta Yazzie, Jennifer Hudson, Mishayla Mitchell, Betsy Wertheim, Anna Schwartz. Restoring Balance, a physical activity intervention for Native cancer survivors, preliminary analysis (NNR.14.192) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr B002.