A study looking at giving lifestyle advice to people who have a family history of bowel or breast cancer (LivingWELL)

Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.

Cancer type:

Bowel (colorectal) cancer
Breast cancer

Status:

Closed

Phase:

Other

This study is looking at giving advice about diet, physical activity and other lifestyle factors to people who have a family history of bowel or breast cancer.

More about this trial

Research has shown that making certain lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of cancer. For people who have a family history of bowel and breast cancer support is available for early detection (screening) and counselling through genetics Open a glossary item clinics. There is little evidence on advice being given on lifestyle.

In this study the researchers want to look at how practical and acceptable a 12 week lifestyle intervention programme (called LivingWELL) is for people who have a family history of bowel or breast cancer.

The programme includes advice about increasing the amount of physical activity you do and improving your diet. If appropriate, they may also give you advice about stopping smoking and reducing the amount of alcohol you drink.

Who can enter

This study is for people who are being seen at genetics clinics at Ninewells Hospital Dundee and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

You may be asked to join this study if

  • You have a family history of breast cancer or bowel cancer
  • You have a high BMI Open a glossary item (more than 25)
  • You are at least 18 years old

You cannot join this study if any of these apply. You

  • Are having treatment for cancer
  • Are not able to take part in physical activity for any reason
  • Have problems with your memory
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Trial design

This is a feasibility study to see if it is possible to deliver the LivingWELL intervention programme to people with a family history of bowel or breast cancer. The researchers hope that 120 people will agree to take part.

Everybody taking part needs to make 2 hospital visits at the start of the study and then 12 weeks later. The researchers call these ‘measurement’ visits.

At these visits you have your height, weight, waist measurement and blood pressure recorded. The researchers then ask questions about diet, how much alcohol you drink, how active you are and your views on health.

After your first visit you will be sent a leaflet that gives you advice on ways to reduce your risk of developing cancer and other illnesses by improving your lifestyle.

Then everyone in the study will be put into 2 groups at random. The people taking part are put into treatment groups by a computer. Neither you nor your doctor will be able to decide which group you are in. This means that people taking part are put into treatment groups by a computer. Neither you nor the researchers will be able to decide which group you are in.

One group will take part in the LivingWELL programme. One group will have usual care.

The group taking part in the LivingWELL programme have

  • A 1 hour appointment with a lifestyle coach followed by telephone conversations offering advice and support on physical activity and diet
  • Access to written support materials over 12 weeks.

The group having usual care will have a 1 hour appointment with a lifestyle coach after the second measurement visit.

At the end of your second measurement visit, the researchers will ask you to complete a feedback form. They will also ask some people who see the lifestyle coach if they can interview them about their experiences.

Hospital visits

You have 2 visits to see the researchers at the start of the study and then 12 weeks later. You also have an appointment with a lifestyle coach.

Side effects

There are no side effects or known risks from taking part in this study.

Recruitment start:

Recruitment end:

How to join a clinical trial

Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Chief Investigator

Professor Annie Anderson

Supported by

Chief Scientist Office (CSO)
NHS Tayside
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
University of Dundee

If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses

Freephone 0808 800 4040

Last review date

CRUK internal database number:

13308

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Wendy took part in a new trial studying the possible side effect of hearing loss

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"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”

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