Longitudinal changes in lifestyle behaviors and health status in colon cancer survivors.
Lifestyle changes in persons diagnosed with cancer are important because they may impact prognosis, co-morbidities, and survival. This report describes longitudinal changes in lifestyle behaviors and health status among colon cancer survivors (n = 278) and population-based controls (n = 459) in North Carolina (39% African American), and examines demographic and psychosocial correlates of healthy lifestyle changes following a colon cancer diagnosis. Data are from surveys of a population-based cohort of colon cancer patients on diagnosis (the North Carolina Colon Cancer Study, NCCCS) and approximately 2 years post-diagnosis [the North Carolina Strategies to Improve Diet, Exercise, and Screening Study (NC STRIDES)], and population-based controls. Both studies collected information on demographic/lifestyle characteristics and medical history. The NCCCS reflects pre-diagnosis or pre-interview patterns, whereas NC STRIDES queried on current practices. Between the NCCCS and NC STRIDES, colon cancer survivors reported significant increases in vegetable intake, physical activity, and supplement use (all P <0.01) and a non-statistically significant increase in fruit/juice consumption (0.1 serving), with larger fruit/vegetable changes in African Americans than Whites. Controls increased physical activity and supplement use and fewer reported arthritic symptoms (P < 0.05). Survivors who were older and female had an almost 3 times higher likelihood of having used at least one new dietary supplement post-diagnosis, whereas being retired correlated with increased vegetable intake, all P < 0.05. Having more barriers to increasing fruit/vegetable intake was inversely associated with taking a new supplement (P < 0.05 only in controls). Colon cancer survivors reported making significant improvements in multiple health-related behaviors. Health care providers should communicate with persons diagnosed with colon cancer to ensure that they are making healthy lifestyle changes.
Satia
Jessie A
JA
Department of Nutrition and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA. jessie.satia@amgen.com
Campbell
Marci K
MK
Galanko
Joseph A
JA
James
Aimee
A
Carr
Carol
C
Sandler
Robert S
RS
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology