Introduction: After a cancer diagnosis, recommendations for those living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) are to maintain a BMI<25 and avoid weight gain. This study explored factors associated with receipt of, and interest in weight management advice as well as engagement in weight management programmes among people LWBC affected by overweight and obesity.

Methods: 3,456 participants living with or beyond breast, prostate or colorectal cancer and affected by overweight and obesity completed our questionnaire. Participants reported advice received on losing weight, interest in receiving weight management advice, enrollment in a lifestyle programme, and their beliefs about maintaining a healthy weight to prevent cancer recurrence.

Results: Logistic regression results suggested that those who received advice were more likely to be interested in advice (OR=1.68; 95%CI:1.30,2.18) and to be enrolled in a weight management programme (OR=1.60; 95%CI:1.07,2.40). The belief that maintaining a healthy weight could prevent cancer recurrence was associated with greater interest in weight management advice (OR=1.47; 95%CI:1.33,1.62) and enrollment in a programme (OR=1.57; 95%CI:1.25,1.99).

Discussion: These results highlight that those who recall receiving weight management advice are more likely to be enrolled in a weight management programme suggesting that advice should be offered by healthcare professionals to all those patients affected by overweight and obesity.

Conclusions: This suggests that the receipt of weight management advice may encourage people LWBC that are affected by overweight and obesity to engage with weight management programmes.