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Journal of Cancer Survivorship

Published in:

01-12-2013

Trends in modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors following diagnosis in breast cancer survivors

Authors: Guixiang Zhao, Chaoyang Li, Catherine A. Okoro, Jun Li, Xiao Jun Wen, Arica White, Lina S. Balluz

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 4/2013

Abstract

Purpose

Evidence suggests that high-risk lifestyle behaviors exacerbate the health of cancer survivors and increase cancer mortality. This study examined the prevalence of lifestyle-related risk factors among female breast cancer survivors by duration of survivorship in the United States.

Methods

We analyzed data from 7,443 women aged ≥18 years who participated in the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and reported having ever-diagnosed breast cancer. Adjusted prevalence with 95 % confidence interval for lifestyle-related risk factors (including current smoking, excessive alcohol drinking, obesity, engaging in physical activity ≥150 min/week, and consuming fruits and vegetables ≥5 times/day) was estimated using log-linear regression while controlling for confounders.

Results

Overall, the prevalence estimates for lifestyle-related risk factors were 10.2 % for current smoking, 6.8 % for excessive alcohol drinking, 24.7 % for obesity, 53.8 % for engaging in physical activity ≥150 min/week, and 33.9 % for consuming fruits and vegetables ≥5 times/day among female breast cancer survivors. After adjustment for covariates, with increasing years of survivorship, a linearly increasing trend was observed for current smoking (P = 0.038), and quadratic trends were observed for excessive alcohol drinking (P < 0.001) and obesity (P = 0.048). The adjusted prevalence estimates for engaging in physical activity ≥150 min/week and consuming fruits and vegetables ≥5 times/day did not vary significantly by duration of survivorship.

Conclusion

Continuing efforts on counseling and encouraging breast cancer survivors to adopt healthy lifestyles are needed to improve their health.

Implications for cancer survivors

Understanding the trends of modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors among breast cancer survivors with varying duration of survivorship may assist health care providers to provide appropriate counseling for breast cancer patients to improve their health. Clinical and public health intervention programs should seek to maximize the number of recommended healthy behaviors especially in those women who are at high risk for failing to comply with the healthy lifestyle guidelines.

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Title: Trends in modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors following diagnosis in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Guixiang Zhao
Chaoyang Li
Catherine A. Okoro
Jun Li
Xiao Jun Wen
Arica White
Lina S. Balluz
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-013-0295-5

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Implications for cancer survivors

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