Secondary Risk Reduction Strategies in Irish Breast Cancer Care

Over the past three decades in Ireland breast cancer survival rates have increased. Improvements in cancer diagnostics and treatments have resulted in age standardised survivorship of over 75% at ten years. Cancer survivorship is causing a shift to that of a chronic condition and is associated with an increased risk of recurrence, new cancer diagnosis and development of other noncommunicable diseases. Over the last fifteen years a substantial body of evidence has emerged on the impact of lifestyle modification on breast cancer related outcomes with studies showing targetable interventions. Secondary risk reduction services are an integral part of cardiovascular disease management and therefore similar strategies should be considered as part of an early breast cancer care treatment plan.

Modifiable lifestyle risk factors including poor diet quality, low physical activity, high body mass index, smoking and alcohol intake, are associated with increased risk in many cancer diagnoses as well as contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. , The Irish National Cancer Strategy Program 2017-2026 estimates that between 30% to 40% of cancer incidence in Ireland is attributable to modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors alone. The report lists several dietary and lifestyle goals including weight reduction and increasing physical activity as targets for primary and secondary disease prevention in Ireland. 3 Considering the modifiability of these risk factors there should be greater emphasis placed on lifestyle interventions for cancer survivors with the aim to integrate these services into Irish breast cancer care treatment pathways.