Non-cancer adverse health conditions and perceived health and function among cancer survivors participating in a community-based cohort study in Washington County, Maryland.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted in an ongoing community-based cohort study to examine the prevalence of non-cancer adverse health conditions among cancer survivors and the association of these conditions with self-rated health and functional status.


METHODS
Data were analyzed from CLUE II, a community-based cohort study in Washington County, Maryland that began in 1989. Cross-sectional comparisons were made between 1,261 cancer survivors and 1,261 age- and gender-matched individuals without a history of cancer. Information on non-cancer adverse health conditions, self-rated health, and activities of daily living was based on self-report.


RESULTS
Compared to individuals without a history of cancer, cancer survivors were significantly more likely to report a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (33.8% versus 29.8%; p = 0.009) and endocrine disease (other than diabetes) (17.0% versus 14.3%; p = 0.02). Further, cancer survivors reporting two or more non-cancer adverse health conditions had a greater likelihood of reporting fair or poor self-rated health (odds ratio (OR) 4.11; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 3.06, 5.54), and difficulty with at least one activity of daily living (OR 6.03; 95% CI 4.01, 9.05) compared to cancer survivors who did not report other adverse health conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this cross-sectional data analysis indicate that cancer survivors are at increased risk for non-cancer adverse health conditions, which are associated with poorer self-rated health, more interference with normal activities, and functional limitations.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased attention must be given to the preventive care and treatment of non-cancer adverse health conditions among cancer survivors to decrease non-cancer morbidity and mortality and to maintain and improve quality of life.
Gallicchio
Lisa
L
Prevention and Research Center, Weinberg Center for Women's Health and Medicine, Mercy Medical Center, 227 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA. lgallic@mdmercy.com
Kalesan
Bindu
B
Hoffman
Sandra C
SC
Helzlsouer
Kathy J
KJ
D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010465:Perception; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors