Prevalence of Healthy Behaviors among Cancer Survivors in the United States: How Far Have We Come?

Abstract

Background: The 16.9 million cancer survivors in the United States are at increased risk for comorbidities and recurrence. However, this risk may be attenuated by a healthy lifestyle. This study describes health behaviors by cancer history to inform behavior change priorities.Methods: We analyzed 2013-2017 data from the National Health Interview Survey. There were 164,692 adults, of whom 12,648 reported a cancer history. We calculated prevalence of smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), and sleep duration by cancer history, age, and cancer site. We conducted logistic regression to determine odds of meeting lifestyle recommendations by cancer history.Results: Overall, those with a cancer history were less likely to report current smoking (14.1% vs. 16.8%) and moderate/heavy drinking (18.8% vs. 21.9%) than those without a cancer history.However, a lower percentage of cancer survivors met physical activity guidelines (14.2% vs. 21.1%) or reported a healthy BMI (31.6% vs. 34.7%) compared with those without a cancer history. Cancer survivors were more likely to report excessive sleep (6.8% vs. 3.6%). In adjusted logistic regression, survivors were more likely to meet recommendations on smoking, physical activity, and BMI but were less likely to meet alcohol recommendations; meeting sleep recommendations did not differ by cancer history.Conclusions: While cancer survivors had lower prevalence of smoking and moderate/heavy drinking, they also had lower prevalence of physical activity and healthy BMI, and reported longer sleep duration. Regression analyses suggested survivors only showed poorer behaviors for alcohol.Impact: Targeted health promotion interventions among cancer survivors are needed.

Optimization of a technology‐supported physical activity promotion intervention for breast cancer survivors: Results from Fit2Thrive

“…[1][2][3][4] However, up to 90% do not meet MVPA guidelines (ie, 150 min/wk). 5,6 Although professionally led, supervised MVPA programs are efficacious for increasing MVPA and improving health outcomes in this population, the scalability is low because of the expense and limited trained professionals. 7,8 Onsite appointments, travel, and schedule limitations also increase access barriers for patients.…”

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Web-Based Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Intervention for Survivors of Physical Inactivity-Related Cancers

“…Observational studies and randomized controlled trials demonstrate that physical activity (PA) is a safe and effective non-pharmacological strategy for improving some of these side effects [ 2 – 7 ]. Despite this evidence, it is estimated (using self-reported data) that around 70% of cancer survivors do not meet PA guidelines and, although there are no established sedentary time guidelines, it is likely that many cancer survivors also spend too much time sedentary [ 8 , 9 ]. Therefore, it is imperative to develop evidence-based, broad-reaching PA interventions tailored specifically for cancer survivors.…”

Assessment of a Community-Based Exercise Program for Older Adults in a Mixed Rural/Urban Catchment Area: Silver Sneakers in Central Pennsylvania

“…The purpose of our study was to understand the capacity of Silver Sneakers, a community-based and free-to-most exercise program, to serve older adults (aged ≥65 years) in our mixed rural/urban catchment area of the Penn State Cancer Institute in central Pennsylvania. Although regular exercise reduces disease risk and promotes healthy aging ( 1 – 3 ), many older adults do not achieve an adequate amount of exercise in their daily lives because of barriers such as cost, fear of injury or pain, lack of motivation, and lack of transportation ( 4 – 9 ). Silver Sneakers programs are available to most Medicare beneficiaries and address these barriers, but little data are available about the programs in mixed rural/urban regions.…”