Journal article
Cancer-related health behaviors during the COVID 19 pandemic in geographically diverse samples across the US
BMC cancer, Vol.25(1), 50
01/09/2025
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-13373-5
PMCID: PMC11721185
PMID: 39789488
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic involved business closures (e.g., gyms), social distancing policies, and prolonged stressful situations that may have impacted engagement in health behaviors. Our study assessed changes in cancer-related health behaviors during the pandemic, specifically physical activity, fruit/vegetable intake, smoking/tobacco use, and alcohol consumption.
Eight cancer centers administered mailed/web-based/telephone surveys between June 2020 and March 2021. Surveys assessed demographics, perceptions on social distancing, and self-reported changes of behaviors (less/same/more) associated with cancer prevention or risk, e.g., physical activity, fruit/vegetable intake, tobacco/smoking use, and alcohol consumption. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression models assessed association of variables with behavior change.
Most of the 21,911 respondents reported adhering to at least 4(of 5) social distancing measures (72%) and indicated social distancing was very/somewhat important to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (91%). 35% of respondents reported less physical activity, 11% reported less fruit/vegetable intake, 27% reported more smoking/tobacco use (among those who used tobacco/smoking products in past 30 days), and 23% reported more alcohol consumption (among those who reported at least 1 drink in past 30 days) than before the pandemic. Urban residence, younger age, female gender, and worse general health were associated with less physical activity, less fruit/vegetable intake, more smoking/tobacco use, and more alcohol intake. Higher educational attainment was associated with less physical activity and fruit/vegetable intake and more alcohol consumption. Reporting social distancing as important and adhering to more COVID-19 safety practices were associated with less physical activity and more alcohol consumption.
Our findings suggest that certain demographics and those who adhered to social distancing measures were more likely to self-report unfavorable changes in health behaviors during the pandemic. Future studies should examine if the behaviors returned to baseline following relief from pandemic restrictions, and if these behavior changes are associated with increased cancer incidence and mortality.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Cancer-related health behaviors during the COVID 19 pandemic in geographically diverse samples across the US
- Creators
- Breanna B Greteman - University of IowaAllison Cole - University of WashingtonMary E Charlton - University of IowaJackilen Shannon - Oregon Health & Science UniversityDeanna Kepka - Huntsman Cancer InstituteElectra D Paskett - The Ohio State UniversityEvelinn A Borrayo - University of Colorado Cancer CenterJamie L Studts - University of Colorado Cancer CenterHayley S Thompson - Wayne State UniversityIsabel Scarinci - University of Alabama at BirminghamLynn Chollet Hinton - University of Kansas Medical CenterElizabeth A Chrischilles - University of IowaCrystal J Garcia-Auguste - University of IowaKaila Christini - Huntsman Cancer InstituteHeather Aker - The Ohio State UniversityJesse J Plascak - The Ohio State UniversityFelicity W K Harper - The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer InstituteMonica L Baskin - University of Alabama at BirminghamSejong Bae - University of Alabama at BirminghamVishruti Pandya - University of Alabama at BirminghamYoung-Il Kim - University of Alabama at BirminghamBabalola Faseru - University of Kansas Medical CenterChristie Befort - University of Kansas Medical CenterHanluen Kuo - University of Kansas Medical CenterMark Dignan - Markey Cancer CenterJuan Canedo - Markey Cancer CenterVictoria Champion - University of IndianapolisBettina F Drake - Washington University in St. LouisKia L Davis - Washington University in St. LouisDebra L Friedman - Vanderbilt UniversityMohamed I Elsaid - The Ohio State UniversityScherezade K Mama - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterWendy F Cohn - University of Virginia
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- BMC cancer, Vol.25(1), 50
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12885-024-13373-5
- PMID
- 39789488
- PMCID
- PMC11721185
- NLM abbreviation
- BMC Cancer
- ISSN
- 1471-2407
- eISSN
- 1471-2407
- Publisher
- BMC
- Grant note
- P30 CA016058 / NCI NIH HHS P30 CA177558 / NCI NIH HHS P30CA022453 / Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute P30CA044579 / UVA Cancer Center P30 CA069533-23S3 / Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University P30CA042014 / Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah UL1TR002733 / Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Ohio State University 3P30CA086862 / Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa P30CA068485 / Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center P30CA016672 / University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/09/2025
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacy; Epidemiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984771630002771
Metrics
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