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Background: The aim of this study is to gather detailed insights from breast cancer (BC) clinicians on how to have patient‐centered conversations about weight and weight management with women diagnosed with early BC. A high body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for female BC, and many women diagnosed with BC experience unhealthy weight gain after their primary treatment. The oncology team has the opportunity to discuss the importance of healthy weight for BC prognosis and survival. Methods: The sample of community‐based BC clinicians included the following: three Black clinicians, three White clinicians, and two clinicians who were neither Black nor White; six females and two males; and six MDs and two physician assistants or nurse practitioners. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with these clinicians regarding their experience with and insights into having healthy weight conversations during routine clinic visits. Results: Clinicians noted that weight‐related conversations should focus less on BMI and weight loss and more on "healthy behavior." Clinicians looked for cues from their patients as to when they were ready for "healthy weight" counseling, receptive to diet/nutrition counseling and referrals, and ready to attempt behavioral change. Clinicians noted that encouraging physical activity could be especially challenging with patients accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusions: Clinic‐based conversations about healthy weight are likely to be most productive for both patients and their treating oncologists during the post–primary treatment phase when patients are most receptive to behavioral change that enhances their prognosis and survival. Conversations about healthy weight will be most productive and well received by patients with breast cancer during the post–primary treatment phase of the cancer care continuum when patients are receptive to behavioral change that enhances their prognosis and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to gather detailed insights from breast cancer (BC) clinicians on how to have patient‐centered conversations about weight and weight management with women diagnosed with early BC. A high body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for female BC, and many women diagnosed with BC experience unhealthy weight gain after their primary treatment. The oncology team has the opportunity to discuss the importance of healthy weight for BC prognosis and survival. Methods: The sample of community‐based BC clinicians included the following: three Black clinicians, three White clinicians, and two clinicians who were neither Black nor White; six females and two males; and six MDs and two physician assistants or nurse practitioners. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with these clinicians regarding their experience with and insights into having healthy weight conversations during routine clinic visits. Results: Clinicians noted that weight‐related conversations should focus less on BMI and weight loss and more on "healthy behavior." Clinicians looked for cues from their patients as to when they were ready for "healthy weight" counseling, receptive to diet/nutrition counseling and referrals, and ready to attempt behavioral change. Clinicians noted that encouraging physical activity could be especially challenging with patients accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusions: Clinic‐based conversations about healthy weight are likely to be most productive for both patients and their treating oncologists during the post–primary treatment phase when patients are most receptive to behavioral change that enhances their prognosis and survival. Conversations about healthy weight will be most productive and well received by patients with breast cancer during the post–primary treatment phase of the cancer care continuum when patients are receptive to behavioral change that enhances their prognosis and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women with obesity are at higher risk for high-grade and/or advanced-stage breast cancer in comparison with women without obesity. Many women with a high body mass index (BMI) at breast cancer diagnosis experience further weight gain during and after treatment. This study investigated Black and White patient perspectives on conversations with their oncologists about weight and weight management.Methods: Focus groups using a virtual platform (Zoom) were conducted with women after primary treatment for stage I to III breast cancer who were 21 years or older and had a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 : 2 with Black women (n = 12) and 2 with White women (n = 14).Results: Participants asked that their oncologists be "transparent" about weight gain as a potential side effect of their cancer treatment and how excess weight might affect their prognosis and survival. They asked to be "seen as an individual" to facilitate both person-centered and culturally appropriate conversations about behavioral changes needed for weight management. Participants urged clinicians to take the lead in initiating conversations about weight to underscore its importance in cancer care and survivorship. They welcomed actionable recommendations about nutrition and exercise from either the oncology clinician or a specialist. Participants offered specific suggestions on how clinicians could initiate weight-related conversations, beginning with questions eliciting patients' perspectives on their weight and lifestyle.Conclusions: Many women with early-stage breast cancer and obesity have concerns about weight and weight gain and urge their oncologists to use an active and personalized approach in recommending and supporting efforts at weight management.Lay Summary: Focus group discussions with Black and White women with early-stage breast cancer and obesity have elicited patient perspectives on conversations with their oncologists about weight and weight management. Many patients have concerns about weight and weight gain and urge their oncologists to use an active and personalized approach in recommending and supporting efforts at weight management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]