Online Program

335722
Obesity and Cancer


Monday, November 2, 2015

Adrienne Wald, EdD, MBA, BSN, MCHES, School of Nursing, College of New Rochelle, High Falls, NY
The prevalence of obesity in the U.S. and its link to cancer risk and worse outcomes after many cancer diagnoses make it a major and growing public health concern. Despite significant scientific evidence about its known relationship, prevention and clinical polices measures to identify and address obesity as a risk factor for cancer patients and survivors remain largely unaddressed. Recent position statements (2014) by the American Society for Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) aim to improve the care of these cancer patients and to address disparities that are identified in screening, diagnosis and treatment of obese cancer patients. We review these and other evidence-based recommendations and policies aimed at reducing the burden of obesity by improving prevention and the diagnosis, screening and clinical management of obese cancer patients for better health-related quality of life and survival, and reduced recurrence. Efforts to engage obese cancer patients in communities, health care settings, and at other intervention points and targeting weight loss and energy balance are demonstrating benefits and reviewed.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Explain the recent policies and position statements and efforts to raise awareness of obesity and cancer prevention and outcomes Understand the epidemiological and other evidence linking obesity with an increased risk for several types of cancer and the different biological mechanisms associated with obesity anbd specific cancers.

Keyword(s): Obesity, Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My qualifications include a doctorate (EdD)and experience as nursing faculty teaching health promotion and research, and I hold an MBA and a nursing degree. I am a masters certified health education specialist. My research includes a publication on weight and body composition in women with breast cancer (published in the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2007) and I am a reviewer for this journal as well. I have been invited to speak on this topic.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.