Predictors of Cancer Survivors' Receptivity to Lifestyle Behavior Change Interventions

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To assess cancer survivors' interest in lifestyle behavior change interventions, and to identify predictors of interest. Methods: Mailed surveys were sent to a stratified random sample of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer survivors ascertained from the MD Anderson tumor registry and departmental databases. Surveys queried survivors about their diet, exercise, and smoking behaviors; symptoms; and their interest in interventions. Results: Surveys were received from 1053 cancer survivors. Roughly half of the sample were very/extremely interested in programs to help them get in shape (45%), eat a healthy diet (54%), and control weight (49%), and 20% had no interest at all. Because they were highly intercorrelated we combined interest in diet/exercise/weight control into a single interest index. Interest was related to race/ethnicity (AA and Hispanics more interested than whites), age (p = .000, younger more interested), marital status (p = .000, divorced most interested, widowed least interested), education (p = .008, college-educated less interested than those with HS degree or some college/vocational training), and gender (p = .000; women more interested). Interest was not related to time from diagnosis, and there were no differences by cancer site after controlling for gender. BMI had a small but significant correlation with interest in programs (r = .19, p = .000; the correlation was higher in women [r = .24] than men [r = .18]). Symptom severity and interference, and feelings of distress and sadness, were positively correlated to interest (r = .07–.12, p = .000–.034); relationships were stronger among men than women. Among the 78 smokers, 51% were very/extremely interested in smoking cessation, while 20% were not at all interested. Demographic and disease-related predictors were not significantly related to interest in smoking cessation, but symptom severity and interference, and feelings of sadness were positively related to interest. Conclusion: Survivors' interest in lifestyle behavior change interventions varies with demographic variables, but also with symptom distress. Experiencing symptoms after cancer diagnosis is related to higher receptivity to intervention opportunities.