A Report of the Women's Health Congress Workshop on The Health of Women of Color: A Critical Intersection at the Corner of Sex/Gender and Race/Ethnicity

The role of obesity and bariatric surgery-induced weight loss in breast cancer

Obesity is a complex metabolic condition considered a worldwide public health crisis, and a deeper mechanistic understanding of obesity-associated diseases is urgently needed. Obesity comorbidities include many associated cancers and are estimated to account for 20% of female cancer deaths in the USA. Breast cancer, in particular, is associated with obesity and is the focus of this review. The exact causal links between obesity and breast cancer remain unclear. Still, interactions have emerged between body mass index, tumor molecular subtype, genetic background, and environmental factors that strongly suggest obesity influences the risk and progression of certain breast cancers. Supportive preclinical research uses various diet-induced obesity models to demonstrate that weight loss, via dietary interventions or changes in energy expenditure, reduces the onset or progression of breast cancers. Ongoing and future studies are now aimed at elucidating the underpinning mechanisms behind weight-loss-driven observations to improve therapy and outcomes in patients with breast cancer and reduce risk. This review aims to summarize the rapidly emerging literature on obesity and weight loss strategies with a focused discussion of bariatric surgery in both clinical and preclinical studies detailing the complex interactions between metabolism, immune response, and immunotherapy in the setting of obesity and breast cancer.

Stress Reduction Strategies Used by Midlife Black Women to Target Cardiovascular Risk

BACKGROUND

Midlife black women are at a high risk for cardiovascular disease and experience higher morbidity and mortality rates. Chronic life stress contributes to the existent cardiovascular-related disparities for midlife black women.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe stress reduction strategies relevant to midlife black women, identify barriers, and generate ideas for the development of a stress reduction wellness intervention for midlife black women.

METHODS

A community advisory board consisting of 11 midlife black women from the Midwest was established and charged with exploring life stress and stress-related issues for women like themselves. The community advisory board was led through a series of focus group discussions using open-ended questions focused on stress reduction strategies used by midlife black women, what kept them from incorporating stress reduction strategies into their daily routines, and what would be helpful in a stress reduction routine. Discussions were audiotaped, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using content analysis.

RESULTS

Stress reduction strategies identified included exercise, faith and prayer, self-care, sisterhood, volunteerism, and mindfulness. Barriers to adopting stress reduction behaviors included time, finances, physical limitations, health status, health insurance, and guilt. Suggested modes of delivery for an intervention included informative lectures and coaching, demonstration, team sessions, social media, and continued access.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study were consistent with those from a preliminary study focused on midlife black women from the West Coast. Recommendations will inform development of a stress reduction wellness intervention for midlife black women.

Microbiome, bile acids, and obesity: How microbially modified metabolites shape anti-tumor immunity

Bile acids (BAs) are known facilitators of nutrient absorption but recent paradigm shifts now recognize BAs as signaling molecules regulating both innate and adaptive immunity. Bile acids are synthesized from cholesterol in the liver with subsequent microbial modification and fermentation adding complexity to pool composition. Bile acids act on several receptors such as Farnesoid X Receptor and the G protein-coupled BA receptor 1 (TGR5). Interestingly, BA receptors (BARs) are expressed on immune cells and activation either by BAs or BAR agonists modulates innate and adaptive immune cell populations skewing their polarization toward a more tolerogenic anti-inflammatory phenotype. Intriguingly, recent evidence also suggests that BAs promote anti-tumor immune response through activation and recruitment of tumoricidal immune cells such as natural killer T cells. These exciting findings have redefined BA signaling in health and disease wherein they may suppress inflammation on the one hand, yet promote anti-tumor immunity on the other hand. In this review, we provide our readers with the most recent understanding of the interaction of BAs with the host microbiome, their effect on innate and adaptive immunity in health and disease with a special focus on obesity, bariatric surgery-induced weight loss, and immune checkpoint blockade in cancer.

The Association of Multiparity with Lung Function and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-Related Phenotypes

BACKGROUND

Apparent increased female susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suggests sex hormones modulate disease pathogenesis. Little is known about associations between multiparity and lung function in smokers.

RESEARCH QUESTION

We hypothesized that multiparity is associated with lung function and measures of emphysema and airway disease.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Utilizing female participants from the 5-year follow up of the COPD Genetic Epidemiology (COPDGene^®) study we performed multivariable linear regressions to assess the effect of multiparity and number of pregnancies on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) percentage of predicted (% predicted), FEV₁/forced vital capacity (FVC), percent emphysema on computed tomography (CT) scans, and Pi10, a measure of airway thickening. We sampled never smokers and those with lower smoking exposure from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012 dataset.

RESULTS

We included 1820 participants from COPDGene^® and 418 participants from NHANES (321 never smokers, 97 ever smokers). In COPDGene^®, multiparity (beta coefficient [β] = -3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [-6.5, -1.1], p = 0.005) and higher number of pregnancies were associated with lower FEV₁ % predicted. Multiparity was not associated with percent emphysema or Pi10. In individuals with no or mild obstruction, multiparity was associated with lower FEV₁ % predicted. There was an interaction with multiparity and age on FEV₁ % predicted (p = 0.025). In NHANES, there was no association between multiparity and FEV₁ % predicted in never smokers or the lower smoking exposure group.

INTERPRETATION

Multiparity was associated with lower FEV₁ % predicted in current and former smokers in COPDGene^® study participants. These preliminary results emphasize the importance of smoking abstinence in women of child-bearing age.