Do adults change their lifestyle behaviors after a cancer diagnosis?
OBJECTIVE
To examine changes in lifestyle behaviors after a cancer diagnosis and medical and demographic influences on such changes.


METHODS
Adult cancer survivors (n = 352) completed a survey including demographic, medical, and lifestyle behavior change questions.


RESULTS
Results showed that since cancer diagnosis, 46% of smokers quit smoking, 47% improved their dietary habits, and 30.1% exercised less. Adult cancer survivors who changed their lifestyle behaviors varied, depending on various demographic and medical variables and physician recommendation.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears from our data that cancer diagnosis in adults may have a positive influence on smoking and diet and a negative influence on exercise.
Blanchard
Chris M
CM
Behavioral Research Center, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. chris.blanchard@cancer.org
Denniston
Maxine M
MM
Baker
Frank
F
Ainsworth
Stuart R
SR
Courneya
Kerry S
KS
Hann
Danette M
DM
Gesme
Dean H
DH
Reding
Douglas
D
Flynn
Thomas
T
Kennedy
John S
JS
D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D004032:Diet; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires