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American Cancer Society, Weight Watchers join forces to support breast cancer survivors
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The American Cancer Society, in collaboration with Weight Watchers International Inc., launched a new initiative designed to help breast cancer survivors combat the unexpected weight gain that often accompanies breast cancer treatment.
The initiative is titled Project L.I.F.T., the acronym for which stands for Live Inspired, Fight Together.
“This campaign will help spark dialogue and create positive connections that support breast cancer survivors in living healthier lives,” Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, managing director of nutrition and physical activity for the cancer society, said in a press release. “Whether a woman is struggling with exercise after surgery or body changes resulting from treatment-triggered early menopause, this partnership will provide tremendous value to breast cancer survivors during a time when support, help and guidance can make a very positive difference in their lives.”
HemOnc Today spoke with Doyle and Gary Foster, PhD, chief scientific officer of Weight Watchers International, about the initiative and the potential benefits it may offer.
Question: How did this idea come about?
Foster : Weight Watchers Inc. launched Project L.I.F.T. along with the American Cancer Society in August. Although patients with breast cancer have information available to them about breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery, little advice is available to survivors grappling with the very real and often unexpected weight gain that can come after treatment. Project L.I.F.T. aims to change that.
Q: How did the collaboration between the American Cancer Society and Weight Watchers come about?
Foster: Weight Watchers saw this as a natural and mutually beneficial collaboration to help support, inspire and guide breast cancer survivors, as well as those undergoing treatment. We have a longstanding relationship with the American Cancer Society, and they are well-known for their efforts nationwide fighting breast cancer and supporting survivors, such as their American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery program. Thanks to the cancer society’s notable fundraising efforts in cancer research, treatment and early detection, millions of women are surviving breast cancer. Between the society’s research and resources, and the community support and holistic health achieved through the Weight Watchers program, this initiative will help gather communities across the United States to rally behind the survivors, as well as help enhance their well-being after treatment.
Q: What makes this initiative unique?
Foster: This is the first time Weight Watchers is offering information specific to potential weight gain associated with breast cancer. Because this is such an important subject matter and there is little advice and resources for survivors, Weight Watchers is offering these tools to everyone who has been touched by breast cancer, including members and non-members. Project L.I.F.T. offers breast cancer survivors information in several ways, including content available online at www.weightwatchers.com/us/projectlift. In collaboration with the American Cancer Society, Weight Watchers is providing free information on its WW Living site, designed for breast cancer survivors. This content will help women understand why they might have gained weight, how losing a modest amount of weight can provide many health benefits, and how they can work to lose the weight through information and support within the community. The cancer society also will host Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events, at which Weight Watchers members, staff, family and friends across the country can join and support the Weight Watchers team at Making Strides events nationwide. To find and sign up for a walk near you, go to makingstrideswalk.org/weightwatchers.
Q: Can you describe the mechanisms behind the weight gain that often accompanies breast cancer treatment?
Doyle: There are a number of reasons why some breast cancer survivors experience weight gain. Chemotherapy may bring on premature menopause, which can decrease a woman’s metabolism and may make it harder for them to keep weight off. Menopause also can cause a woman to gain more body fat and lose lean muscle mass. There could also be some impact from other types of medications or therapies. Some medications may boost appetite. Some may cause an increase in fat tissue and may contribute to decreased muscle mass. There is some evidence that the weight gain could be related to a lack of or decrease in exercise. Many studies have shown that exercising during treatment is feasible and safe. Of course, there may be some precautions — such as not swimming if one has a port; or not walking on a treadmill or riding on a recumbent bike if a person is experiencing neuropathy or lack of feeling in their feet — but the bottom line message for people undergoing treatment is to strive to avoid inactivity. Our recommendation is that people undergoing treatment and beyond be at least moderately active for a minimum 150 minutes a week. There certainly are times when someone is not going to feel like even going for a 10-minute walk, and that is OK. But as best people can, they should strive to get some regular activity and gradually work up to at least 150 minutes per week. This is also the American Cancer Society’s recommendation for cancer prevention. Within our survivor guidelines, we also have a recommendation to do strength training exercises at least twice per week — in part because of the decreased muscle mass that some people do experience while undergoing treatment. Also, some people undergoing treatment experience food cravings. A lot is heard about ‘comfort foods’ during this time, which frequently, but not always, tend to be foods high in calories and fat.
Q: What do you hope this program will offer breast cancer survivors?
Doyle: Our ultimate hope is that this partnership helps to increase the awareness of the importance of eating well and being active during and after cancer treatment; and that women experiencing breast cancer feel supported during this challenging time — supported with information; with skill-building around making healthy eating and exercise choices; and by providing an opportunity in some locations to meet with other breast cancer survivors to share their stories and to recognize that they are not alone in their journey.
Foster: There are more than 3.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States with a history of invasive breast cancer. Through this program, we hope to support survivors and guide them on the road to achieving their best holistic health after treatment. We believe the Weight Watchers culture of extraordinary encouragement combined with the resources to inspire and guide healthier choices can really make a difference — from those who have just been diagnosed to those who are struggling with weight gain after treatment.
Q: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Doyle: Innovative partnerships are so valuable in helping to support individuals as they undergo cancer treatment and beyond. The American Cancer Society is pleased to be working with Weight Watchers to not only help spread the word about the importance of healthy living, but to provide valuable tools and resources to help breast cancer survivors take steps to achieve their healthy living goals.
Foster: What struck us when we started talking to people within the breast cancer community was the unexpected posttreatment weight issues they face. In fact, one study showed breast cancer survivors are twice as likely to gain more than 11 pounds within 5 years of treatment than women who are cancer free. Additionally, women who gain weight after a breast cancer diagnosis had an elevated risk for both recurrence and mortality. This risk increased with additional weight gain. Between our community and resources, and those of the American Cancer Society, we know we can really make a difference and help mobilize survivors to reclaim their health. – by Jennifer Southall
For more information:
Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, can be reached at colleen.doyle@cancer.org.
Gary Foster, PhD, can be reached at gary.foster@weightwatchers.com.
Disclosure: Doyle and Foster report no relevant financial disclosures.