Journal article
Prevalence of health behaviors among cancer survivors in the United States
Journal of cancer survivorship, v 18, pp 1042-1050
2024
PMID: 36933085
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Purpose
We determined the proportion of cancer survivors who met each of five health behavior guidelines recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS), including consuming fruits and vegetables at least five times/day, maintaining a body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m(2), engaging in 150 min or more of physical activity weekly, not currently smoking, and not excessively drinking alcohol.
Methods
Using data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 42,727 survey respondents who reported a previous diagnosis of cancer (excluding skin cancer) were included. Weighted percentages with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated for the five health behaviors accounting for BRFSS' complex survey design.
Results
The weighted percentage of cancer survivors who met ACS guidelines was 15.1% (95%CI: 14.3%, 15.9%) for fruit and vegetable intake; 66.8% (95%CI: 65.9%, 67.7%) for BMI < 30 kg/m(2); 51.1% (95%CI: 50.1%, 52.1%) for physical activity; 84.9% (95%CI: 84.1%, 85.7%) for not currently smoking; and 89.5% (95%CI: 88.8%, 90.3%) for not drinking excessive alcohol. Adherence to ACS guidelines among cancer survivors generally increased with increasing age, income, and education.
Conclusions
While the majority of cancer survivors met the guidelines for not smoking and limiting alcohol drinking, one-third had elevated BMI, almost half did not meet recommended physical activity levels, and the majority had inadequate fruit and vegetable intake.
Implications for Cancer Survivors
Adherence to guidelines was lowest among younger cancer survivors and those with lower income and education, suggesting these may be populations where resources could be targeted to have the greatest impact.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Prevalence of health behaviors among cancer survivors in the United States
- Creators
- Katherine Gregory - University of South CarolinaLonggang Zhao - University of South CarolinaTisha M. M. Felder - University of South CarolinaAlyssa Clay-Gilmour - University of South CarolinaJan M. M. Eberth - Drexel University, Dana and David Dornsife School of Public HealthE. Angela Murphy - University of South CarolinaSusan E. E. Steck - University of South Carolina
- Publication Details
- Journal of cancer survivorship, v 18, pp 1042-1050
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- University of South Carolina Vice President for Research Office's ASPIRE II program University of South Carolina Magellan Scholar Program
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000952427400002
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85150289120
- Other Identifier
- 991021855274504721
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InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Oncology
- Social Sciences, Biomedical