Information needs of women at risk of breast cancer

Purpose: Information needs and current information sources related to healthy eating, active living, and healthy body weight were examined in women attending breast cancer risk assessment clinics. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 257 women over 20 years old. The women completed a self-administered survey (52.8% response rate) containing both closed- and open-ended questions. Most respondents were 49 or younger, were English-speaking, reported annual family incomes over $140,000, and resided in urban communities. Results: Participants reported a need for general information concerning healthy eating, active living, and healthy body weight. For example, they wanted information on reading food labels (51.0%), healthy recipes (51.0%), activities for increasing overall fitness (52.5%), and achieving healthy body weights (48.6%). They also wanted information concerning die relationships between cancer risk and specific foods and nutrients, such as antioxidants (65.0%), supplements (60.7%), phytochemicals (47.5%), and omega-3 fatty acids (45.5%). Participants most often turned to magazines, friends, and family members when they wanted information on healthy eating, active living, and healthy body weight. Conclusions: These findings present an opportunity for dietitians to enhance their leadership role in creating and disseminating evidence-based information to meet the expressed needs of women who may be at increased risk for breast cancer.