Life of breast cancer survivors in the Diet Cancer and Health cohort
Pernille Bidstrup, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark
With the growing number of cancer survivors, there is increasing urgency to develop a better understanding of the role of pre-diagnosis factors on prognosis, physical and psychological functioning after a cancer diagnosis.
This project examines how pre-diagnosis factors and possible changes between pre-and post diagnosis may influence many aspects of life after a breast cancer diagnosis including prognosis, physical- and psychosocial functioning and health behavior. We will thus e.g. examine questions such as: do women change diet, smoking and alcohol consumption after a breast cancer diagnosis? Do these changes affect prognosis, physical and psychological well-being?
The study will use existing data on 2900 women from a Danish prospective cohort study and will through questionnaires collect further data among women in this cohort who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and who remain cancer free, respectively. From national registries we will further collect data on treatment, social position, other chronic disease and death.
Understanding of these mechanisms will translate into focused and prioritized interventions targeting vulnerable groups of cancer survivors facilitating the transition from treatment and recovery to survivorship and the management of adverse effects in all aspects of living as a cancer survivor.