Grasping the 'teachable moment': Time since diagnosis, symptom burden and health behaviors in breast, colorectal and prostate cancer survivors

Shirley M. Bluethmann, Karen Basen-Engquist, Sally W. Vernon, Matthew Cox, Kelley Pettee Gabriel, Sandra A. Stansberry, Cindy L. Carmack, Janice A. Blalock, Wendy Demark-Wahnefried

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background A cancer diagnosis may provide a 'teachable moment' in cancer recovery. To better understand factors influencing lifestyle choices following diagnosis, we examined associations between time since diagnosis and symptom burden with recommended dietary (e.g., five or more fruit/vegetable servings/day), physical activity (e.g., >150 active min, 3-5 times/week), and smoking behaviors (i.e., eliminate tobacco use) in cancer survivors. Methods We analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected from breast (n=528), colorectal (n=106), and prostate (n=419) cancer survivors following active treatment at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Four regression models were tested for behaviors of interest. Additionally, we assessed symptom burden as a potential moderator and/or mediator between time since diagnosis and behaviors. Results Respondents were mostly female (55%) and non-Hispanic White (68%) with a mean age of 62.8±11.4 years and mean time since diagnosis of 4.6±3.1 years. In regression models, greater time since diagnosis predicted lower fruit and vegetable consumption (B=-0.05, p=0.02) and more cigarette smoking (B=0.06, p=0.105). Greater symptom burden was a significant negative predictor for physical activity (B=-0.08, p<.001). We did not find evidence that symptom burden moderated or mediated the association between time since diagnosis and health behaviors. Conclusion We assessed the prevalence of recommended behaviors in the context of other challenges that survivors face, including time since diagnosis and symptom burden. Our results provide indirect evidence that proximity to a cancer diagnosis may provide a teachable moment to improve dietary and smoking behaviors and that symptom burden may impede physical activity following diagnosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1250-1257
Number of pages8
JournalPsycho-oncology
Volume24
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2015

Keywords

  • lifestyle behaviors
  • oncology
  • psychosocial
  • survivors
  • symptoms

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Oncology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Assessment, Intervention, and Measurement

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Grasping the 'teachable moment': Time since diagnosis, symptom burden and health behaviors in breast, colorectal and prostate cancer survivors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this