Perceived changes in health behaviours and body weight in response to a cancer diagnosis among individuals living with and beyond breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose This study explored perceived changes in health behaviours and body weight following a cancer diagnosis and investigated related sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods Individuals living with and beyond breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer (N = 5835) completed the ‘Health and Lifestyle After Cancer Survey’ which explored their perceptions of health behaviour change following a cancer diagnosis. Multinomial logistic regressions were conducted with perceived changes as dependent variables, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as independent variables. Results Approximately half of the participants did not perceive changes in their physical activity, alcohol intake and body weight, and most did not perceive dietary changes. Less than a third of individuals perceived positive health behaviour changes (11.7% increased physical activity, 24.3% healthier diet, and 31.3% decreased alcohol intake), 35.9% perceived decreases in physical activity, and 27.0% perceived increases in body weight, whereas 19.2% perceived decreases in body weight. Individuals from specific groups (e.g., no education and unmarried), and with poorer self-rated health (e.g., with anxiety/depression), were more likely to perceive changes in physical activity, body weight, and diet, but in different directions. Younger individuals were more likely to perceive increases in physical activity, body weight, and alcohol intake, and have a healthier diet. Conclusion Following a diagnosis of cancer, a large proportion of individuals perceived that their health behaviours were unchanged. However, some groups of individuals were more likely to perceive positive changes, whereas others were more likely to perceive negative changes, with differences also observed according to the type of health behaviour. Clinicians should consider targeting health behaviour support to prevent worse outcomes in the long-term.