Health Behaviors and Wellbeing among those  “LIVING” with Metastatic Cancer in the Deep South

Abstract

Background: Approximately 5 million Americans are living with metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer survivors (MCS) are at risk for poor health behaviors, which may negatively influence wellbeing.Methods: Using a modified Dillman’s method, 542 MCS were mailed a survey querying physical and mental health (PROMIS® measures), health behaviors, and supportive care interest. Returned surveys were double-key entered into REDCap®. Data were analyzed using SPSS.Results: Two hundred and seventy-seven surveys were returned (51% response). Respondents (51% female; 88% Caucasian; 12% African-American; Mage=65 years; Msurvivorship=38 months; 23% female cancers, 23% melanoma, 21% gastrointestinal, 15% genitourinary, 12% pulmonary, and 6% other) reported low daily fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake (M=4.1) and weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) (M=41.9), with 66% of respondents having overweight or obesity. While mean scores for physical (M=43.6) and mental (M=47.7) health were considered “good,” scores in the “fair” to “poor” ranges were observed (40% physical; 23% mental). MCS meeting PA (≥150 min per week) and dietary (≥5 daily servings of F&V) guidelines reported better physical (p=.003; p=.056) and mental (p=.033, p=.549) health respectively, compared to MCS who were not. While current supportive care use was low (12%), future interest was high (57%), with greatest interest for nutrition (46%), MCS support group (38%), and gardening (31%).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that engaging in regular PA and consuming more F&Vs may enhance physical and mental health among MCS. Future research may explore supportive care approaches with high interest, such as gardening, to aid MCS in improving key health behaviors.