Health behaviours in older cancer survivors in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Abstract

Objectives To assess health behaviours in cancer survivors in a population-based sample of older adults in the United Kingdom (UK). Methods Data were from wave 1 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity was compared in cancer survivors and those with no cancer diagnosis. Associations between health behaviours and quality of life (QoL) and depressive symptoms were compared in both groups. Results There were 716 (6.2%) cancer survivors in the sample. Cancer survivors were more likely to be former smokers ( p < 0.001) and less likely to do moderate or vigorous physical activity ( p < 0.05) than those with no cancer diagnosis. Physical activity was associated with better QoL and lower depressive symptoms, and smoking with poorer QoL and higher depressive symptoms, in both groups. Discussion Levels of health behaviours among cancer survivors in the UK are suboptimal. Effective strategies to promote healthy lifestyles are needed in this vulnerable population.