Breast cancer survivors comprise the largest group of cancer survivors and are continually growing. Given the importance of increasing QoL and decreasing body weight in breast cancer survivors, developing behavioral interventions are important, particularly for rural survivors. Previous weight loss and QoL interventions for survivors have been delivered by health professionals (e.g. nurses, psychologists), and though successful to an extent, the sustainability is questionable, particularly in low-resource communities. Thus, we describe the development of QoL and weight loss interventions for breast cancer survivors designed to be delivered by trained community members or lay health advisors.

Two NIH-funded evidence-based interventions designed to increase QoL (Rural Breast Cancer Survivors—RBCS) and decrease body weight (Wholeness, Oneness, Righteousness, Deliverance—The WORD), were adapted for lay health advisory delivery to improve survivorship care in rural breast cancer survivors. To adapt RBCS, iterative discussions occurred with a community advisory board (CAB) with experience delivering lay health advisor-delivered interventions. To adapt The WORD, five discussion groups were held with nine survivors.

In total, nine survivors provided feedback to adapt The WORD for a breast cancer survivor population. Investigators also engaged in an iterative process with five CAB members to adapt RBCS for lay health advisor delivery. Formative work was used to produce QoL and weight loss interventions. Both are 6-month interventions whereby survivors meet on a monthly basis. Participants in the weight loss intervention receive an additional 10 newsletters.

We successfully worked with community members to develop two interventions for breast cancer survivors, the feasibilities of which are being tested in a current pilot with 60 women.