Summary of research

Globally, breast cancer comprised 23% of all female cancers with an estimation of
1.15 million new cases in 2002 (Parkin et al., 2005). The worldwide Age
Standardized Incidence Rate (ASR) for mortality of breast cancer between 1993 to
2001 was 13.2 per 100, 000, ranging from 8.8 in Asia to 19.7 in Europe (Kamangar
et al., 2006). Breast cancer is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer among
Malaysian women. The incidence of breast cancer in Malaysia is still much lower
compared to European countries; however, it is increasing steadily over recent years.
Weight change (gain or loss) can occur in women after breast cancer diagnosis, but it
does not necessary occur in all women (Wahnfieried et al., 1997). The findings on
weight gain from previous studies were inconsistent and the cause of weight gain
remains elusive. Understanding the predictors of weight change may be an important
attempt to improve the outcomes of breast cancer (better survival and decreased
mortality). Many studies available are mostly conducted in non-Asian population.
Thus, this study is the first kind in Malaysia to investigate the magnitude of the
weight change and factors underlying weight gain. The findings can be as baseline
data for the development of intervention and can also be shared with other
researchers to complete existing literature.
This was a cross-sectional study in that the data were collected only at one point in
time. The respondents for this study were recruited from eight general hospitals and
three breast cancer support groups in Peninsular Malaysia. Respondents were breast
cancer patients or survivors attending the outpatient clinics in hospitals for routine
medical check-up or members of breast cancer support groups. Inclusion criteria’s
were women 20 to 75 years old, had invasive breast cancer characterized by stage I,
II or III, completion of conventional treatments, free of any disease or breast cancer
recurrence, and not currently under any diet intervention or treatment with drugs
known to interfere with body weight. Data on social-demographic, reproductive and
cancer history were obtained through face-to-face interview using a pre-tested
questionnaire. Respondents were measured for current height and weight and also
requested to recall weight at aged 18, 1 year before breast cancer diagnosis and time
of diagnosis. Weight change is defined as weight 1 year before breast cancer
diagnosis and current weight. Thirty-five percent of women reported weight loss,
64% reported weight gain and the remaining 1% reported no changes in their weight.