2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

326879
Role of social support in developing healthy lifestyles among African American endometrial cancer survivors and their social networks


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Nita Lee, MD, MPH, OB/GYN, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Phoebe Lyman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Danielle Young, MPH, OB/GYN, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Camille Fabiyi, PhD, MPH, Section of Family Planning and Contraception Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stephanie Bi, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Melissa Gilliam, MD, MPH, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Background: Obesity is the major risk factor for endometrial cancer (EC); obesity related conditions persist after treatment causing morbidity and mortality. Survivors’ social networks may experience similar risk factors. EC diagnosis is a teachable moment to promote lifestyle change as a part of survivorship care and prevention, particularly among African Americans (AA) as racial disparities exist in EC survival. This study examined the role of social support in healthy lifestyle change among EC survivors and their support networks.

Methods: Twenty-six AA EC survivors and female support persons, participated in a 16-week weight management program at an urban community hospital. Nine of the fifteen survivors recruited at least one support person. Social support for exercise was assessed using the Social Support and Exercise scale. Paired t-tests were used to examine baseline and post-program data. Focus group transcripts were analyzed for salient themes.

Results:  Mean social support score for exercise received from friends increased between baseline and post-program (mean:  1.71 vs. 2.14, p = .03), but perceived support received from family was low and did not change. Qualitative data showed participants initiated conversations with coworkers and friends about the program and their lifestyle efforts. Many reported engaging a spouse or family member in habit changes.  Participants highlighted the support of group members as key to engagement in the program.

Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of involving supportive friends in healthy lifestyle efforts, and suggest that community-based programs that integrate supportive friends hold promise for healthy lifestyle development among EC survivors and their networks.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Assess the role of social support in healthy lifestyle development among African American female endometrial cancer survivors and their support networks through community-based weight management programs.

Keyword(s): Cancer and Women’s Health, Weight Management

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a board certified Gynecologic Oncologist with an academic professional practice heavily focusing on surgical management of endometrial cancer and gynecologic cancer survivorship. My specific clinical interest in endometrial cancer survivorship as it relates to lifestyle modification after cancer diagnosis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 2080.0: Using Health Communication to Address Health Disparities and Reach Vulnerable Populations (organized by HCWG)