Weight-Related Communications Between Oncology Clinicians and Women With Obesity at Early Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Findings From a Review of Electronic Health Records |
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| Authors: | Kirsten A Nyrop Jordan T Lee Allison M Deal Seul Ki Choi Hyman B Muss |
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| Institution: | 1. Division of Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA;2. UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA;3. knyrop@med.unc.edu;5. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA;6. UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA;7. Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA |
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| Abstract: | AbstractBackground: The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Position Statement on Obesity and Cancer notes that the oncology care team is in a unique position to initiate weight management conversations that may help patients manage their weight in survivorship.Methods: Qualitative and quantitative content analysis of electronic health records at a university-affiliated cancer hospital was conducted to gather documentation of weight-related communications between oncology clinicians and their patients with obesity (Body Mass Index 30 or higher) at early breast cancer diagnosis.Results: The sample includes 237 women, mean age 56.5 (range 25–86), 37% black, and mean BMI 36 (range 30–59). Ninety-three patients (39%) had weight-related communications with at least one oncology clinician, for a total of 120 communications. Seventy-three percent of these communications were with a medical oncologist, 17% with a radiation oncologist, and 10% with a surgical oncologist. Examples of communications include referrals to weight management programs (22%), printed patient instructions about diet or diet and exercise (12%), and clinician notes describing weight-related interactions with their patients (67%).Conclusions: This study provides preliminary but encouraging evidence of weight-related communications during a busy clinic visit with patients who were obese at breast cancer diagnosis. |
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