Abstract Body: Background:
Black breast cancer survivors experience disproportionate cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality compared to White survivors. Healthy lifestyle behaviors (e.g., physical activity, balanced diet) are central to survivorship care and can reduce both cancer recurrence and CVD risk. The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) provides a comprehensive measure of cardiovascular health (CVH); however, its use as a behavioral and educational tool in cancer survivorship is largely unexplored, particularly among Black survivors. The Exploring Cardiovascular Health Outcomes (ECHO) study examined how survivors perceived CVH and CVD risk across survivorship and engaged in recommended health behaviors.
Methods:
A descriptive, qualitative design was employed. Self-identified Black breast cancer survivors participated in semi-structured focus groups exploring knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors related to CVH and CVD risk. Biometric and self-reported data were collected for LE8 components (blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, weight, physical activity, diet, smoking, sleep) and sociodemographic characteristics. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis with consensus among three coders. Themes were validated by a community advisory board of Black survivors. Descriptive statistics summarized quantitative data.
Preliminary Findings:
Seventeen survivors participated in three focus groups. Participants were predominantly middle-aged (mean age = 59.7), educated (65% some college or more), employed (53%), and had moderate CVH. Four themes emerged: (1) informational disconnect between cancer and CVD risk; (2) waning motivation for lifestyle modification through long-term survivorship despite awareness of benefit; (3) complex life circumstances as barriers to sustained health behavior change; and (4) readiness for empowerment and co-creation of focused interventions to support optimal survivorship.
Conclusions:
Findings reveal that while survivors value prevention, CVD risk education is rarely included in survivorship care. Knowledge of CVD risk becomes relevant only when survivors receive clear information, measurable goals, and structured support to sustain behaviors. LE8 may serve not only as a metric describing CVH but also as a behavioral scaffold for empowering Black breast cancer survivors to live heart-healthy long after treatment.