Changes in modifiable risk factors in women at increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Abstract
Background
Modifiable lifestyle factors exert a substantial influence on the development of various diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the implementation of containment measures to mitigate the viral spread, which affected the maintenance of healthy habits.
Methods
Changes in lifestyle factors (e.g. physical activity, nutrition, smoking, drinking alcohol) within a cohort of German women at increased risk of breast cancer (BC) or ovarian cancer (OC) were evaluated through an anonymous web-based survey. The self-reported assessment of mental health was conducted using the PHQ-4 questionnaire. This tool combines two items from the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression (PHQ-2) and two queries from the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-2). Potential predictors of lifestyle changes were determined via multiple logistic regression analysis. A heuristic model was employed to project potential long-term consequences on BC incidence.
Results
During the pandemic, 41.6 % of respondents reported redu