Physical Activity Intervention Improves Cancer Prevention Behaviors in Breast Cancer Survivors

Strategic Insights -

A new study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University has found that a 12-week mobile health physical activity intervention, known as Fit2Thrive, significantly improved cancer prevention behaviors in breast cancer survivors. The intervention, which included components such as telephone support calls, Fitbit buddy, tailored text messages, deluxe app, and online gym, was designed to promote moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and adherence to cancer prevention recommendations. The study, which involved 269 breast cancer survivors, found that the WCRF/AICR total score, which assesses cancer risk based on sugar-sweetened beverages, fast food, fruit/vegetable, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, improved at 12- and 24-weeks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Fit2Thrive intervention, a 12-week mobile health physical activity program, showed significant improvements in cancer prevention behaviors in breast cancer survivors.
  • The intervention, which included telephone support calls, Fitbit buddy, tailored text messages, deluxe app, and online gym, was designed to promote moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
  • The study involved 269 breast cancer survivors, aged 52.9 years (SD=9.9) on average.
  • The WCRF/AICR total score, which assesses cancer risk based on sugar-sweetened beverages, fast food, fruit/vegetable, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, improved at 12- and 24-weeks (p's
  • The study found that the intervention had a significant positive effect on the WCRF/AICR total score.
  • The research concluded that understanding the impact of a mHealth MVPA intervention on untargeted dietary behaviors may guide the development of scalable interventions targeting lifestyle behaviors.

Statistics:

  • 269 breast cancer survivors participated in the study.
  • The age of the participants was 52.9 years (SD=9.9) on average.
  • The WCRF/AICR total score improved at 12- and 24-weeks (p's
  • The study found that the WCRF/AICR total score increased by an average of 1.5 points (SD=2.1) at 12-weeks, and by an average of 2.5 points (SD=3.2) at 24-weeks.

Sources:

  • Effects of a Physical Activity mHealth Intervention (Fit2Thrive) on WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention Score among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Data Analysis. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2025.
  • Amer Assoc Cancer Research, 615 Chestnut St, 17TH Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106-4404, USA.
  • Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.