Impact of Healthcare Provider Guidance on Weight Management Efforts in Survivors of Cancers Linked to Obesity
Overview
This study evaluates the association between clinician counseling and weight loss attempts among survivors of obesity-associated cancers compared to adults with obesity without such a history.
Background
Obesity is linked to at least 13 types of cancer and is prevalent among cancer survivors, with two-thirds of the 18 million survivors in the U.S. estimated to have overweight or obesity. These conditions are associated with poorer outcomes, including recurrence and survival rates. Effective weight management strategies are often underutilized in survivorship care.
Data Highlights
Group
Weight Loss Attempts (%)
Adjusted Probability Increase (pp)
Cancer Survivors
47.9
41.6
Comparator Adults
59.6
11.6
Key Findings
Two-thirds of cancer survivors in the U.S. have overweight or obesity.
Clinician counseling for weight management was not more common among cancer survivors than comparator adults.
Weight loss attempts were less frequent among survivors of obesity-associated cancers (47.9%) compared to nonsurvivors (59.6%).
When counseling occurred, cancer survivors had a 41.6 pp greater probability of attempting weight loss compared to 11.6 pp in comparator adults.
The difference in the effectiveness of counseling between the two groups was 29.8 pp.
Clinical Implications
Healthcare providers should prioritize counseling on weight management for cancer survivors, as they may not receive this guidance as frequently as needed. Enhanced focus on weight management strategies could improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Conclusion
The study highlights a significant gap in counseling for weight management among cancer survivors, despite their heightened responsiveness to such guidance when it occurs.
