Feasibility study to assess the impact of a lifestyle intervention (‘LivingWELL’) in people having an assessment of their family history of colorectal or breast cancer

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of delivering and evaluating a weight management (WM) programme for overweight patients with a family history (FH) of breast cancer (BC) or colorectal cancer (CRC). STUDY DESIGN: A two-arm (intervention vs usual care) randomised controlled trial. SETTING: National Health Service (NHS) Tayside and NHS Grampian. PARTICIPANTS: People with a FH of BC or CRC aged≥18 years and body mass index of ≥25 kg/m(2) referred to NHS genetic services. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomised to a control (lifestyle booklet) or 12-week intervention arm where they were given one face-to-face counselling session, four telephone consultations and web-based support. A goal of 5% reduction in body weight was set, and a personalised diet and physical activity (PA) programme was provided. Behavioural change techniques (motivational interviewing, action and coping plans and implementation intentions) were used. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Feasibility measures: recruitment, programme implementation, fidelity measures, achieved measurements and retention, participant satisfaction assessed by questionnaire and qualitative interviews. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Measured changes in weight and PA and reported diet and psychosocial measures between baseline and 12-week follow-up. RESULTS: Of 480 patients approached, 196 (41%) expressed interest in the study, and of those, 78 (40%) patients were randomised. Implementation of the programme was challenging within the time allotted and fidelity to the intervention modest (62%). Qualitative findings indicated the programme was well received. Questionnaires and anthropometric data were completed by >98%. Accelerometer data were attained by 84% and 54% at baseline and follow-up, respectively. Retention at 12 weeks was 76%. Overall, 36% of the intervention group (vs 0% in control) achieved 5% weight loss. Favourable increases in PA and reduction in dietary fat were also reported. CONCLUSIONS: A lifestyle programme for people with a family history of cancer is feasible to conduct and acceptable to participants, and indicative results suggest favourable outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN13123470; Pre-results.