The health behaviour status of teenage and young adult cancer patients and survivors in the United Kingdom

G Pugh,R Hough,H Gravestock,A Fisher

doi:10.1007/s00520-019-04719-y

Abstract

PurposeThe primary aim of this study was to investigate the health behaviour status of teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer patients and survivors; the secondary aim was to determine if TYA cancer patients and survivors health behaviour differs to general population controls.MethodsTwo hundred sixty-seven young people with cancer (n =83 cancer patients receiving active treatment: n =174 cancer survivors, 57.1% >1 year since treatment completion) and 321 controls completed a health and lifestyle questionnaire which included validated measures of physical activity (PA) (Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire), diet (Dietary Instrument for Nutrition Education, DINE), smoking status, and alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C).ResultsGeneral population controls and cancer survivors were more likely to meet current (PA) recommendations (p <0.001) than TYA cancer patients undergoing treatment (54.8% vs 52.3% vs 30.1%, respectively). Less than 40% of young people with cancer and controls met fat intake, sugar intake, fibre intake or current fruit and vegetable recommendations. TYA cancer survivors were more likely to report binge drinking than controls (OR=3.26, 95% CI 2.12–5.02, p <0.001). Very few young people with in the study were current smokers. The majority of TYA cancer patients and survivors reported a desire to make positive changes to their health behaviour.ConclusionConsideration should be given to whether existing health behaviour change interventions which have demonstrated positive effects among the general TYA population could be adapted for young people with cancer.

Highlights

It is estimated that of the 16,630 teenagers and young adults (TYA) living with and beyond cancer in the UK, more than two-thirds will suffer a physical or psychosocial health problem as a result of their cancer diagnosis and treatment [1,2,3]
Purpose The primary aim of this study was to investigate the health behaviour status of teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer patients and survivors; the secondary aim was to determine if TYA cancer patients and survivors health behaviour differs to general population controls
General population controls and cancer survivors were more likely to meet current (PA) recommendations (p

Summary

Introduction

It is estimated that of the 16,630 teenagers and young adults (TYA) living with and beyond cancer in the UK, more than two-thirds will suffer a physical or psychosocial health problem as a result of their cancer diagnosis and treatment [1,2,3]. Support Care Cancer (2020) 28:767–777 conducted in the USA and predominantly explored the health behaviour status of long-term survivors of a cancer diagnosed during childhood [8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. Data from these studies suggest TYA-aged cancer patients and survivors have low levels of physical activity, consume relatively poor diets, often struggle with weight gain, and engage in health-risk behaviours such as smoking and alcohol consumption. No data on the health behaviour status of TYA cancer patients and survivors in the UK has been published within the last decade [15]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion