Testis cancer survivors' health behaviors: comparison with age-matched relative and demographically matched population controls.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence rate of health behaviors in testis cancer survivors and to determine whether the rate of health behaviors in survivors was significantly different than those of their age-matched relative controls and a population-based control group matched for age, sex, education, and income.


METHODS
The health behaviors of 162 testis cancer survivors were compared with their age-matched relative controls (n = 74) and an age-, sex-, education-, and income-matched population-based control group (n ranged from 1,123 to 9,775). Health behaviors were assessed with the telephone-administered Behavioral Risk Factor and Surveillance Survey.


RESULTS
Nearly one in five testis cancer survivors reported current smoking and one third reported problem drinking. Only 11% reported having at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Compared with their relative controls, the survivors were more likely to engage in regular exercise. For those participants who drank, survivors were twice as likely to engage in problem drinking and averaged a higher number of drinks compared to their Centers for Disease Control (CDC) controls. Survivors were also half as likely to have at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day compared with the CDC controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall picture regarding testis cancer survivors' health behaviors was mixed compared with the relative and CDC control groups. Our results suggest that reduced alcohol use and increased fruit and vegetable consumption may be important targets for future disease prevention in testis cancer survivors.
Shinn
Eileen H
EH
Department of Behavioral Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. eshinn@mdanderson.org
Swartz
Richard J
RJ
Thornton
Bob B
BB
Spiess
Philippe E
PE
Pisters
Louis L
LL
Basen-Engquist
Karen M
KM
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014675:Vegetables; D055815:Young Adult
D002784:Cholesterol