It Takes a Village for Weight Loss

Optimizing body weight and exercising regularly are important for improving health in general, but evidence suggests that they are also associated with reducing the risk for developing breast cancer and preventing recurrence in survivors of the disease.

Now, investigators have conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive group-based weight-loss intervention in 692 overweight or obese breast cancer survivors (body-mass index, 25–45 kg/m²) initiated approximately 2 years after primary cancer treatment. Half of the participants were assigned to a control group and provided weight-loss materials, an individualized diet-counseling session at baseline and 6 months, and a monthly phone call or e-mail from th…