Journal article
Health behaviors, and beliefs about health behaviors and cancer risk, among US cancer survivors: a HINTS-SEER study
Cancer survivorship research & care, Vol.3(1), 2531876
12/31/2025
DOI: 10.1080/28352610.2025.2531876
PMCID: PMC12680075
PMID: 41358274
Abstract
Background
It is important to understand how health behaviors, and beliefs about health behaviors and cancer risk, vary by sociodemographic factors.
Methods
The Health Information National Trends Survey – Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results study sampled US cancer survivors in 2021. We used weighted logistic regression to examine associations between sociodemographic factors, health behavior guideline adherence, and beliefs about health behaviors and cancer risk.
Results
Among 1134 cancer survivors, only 4% were current smokers, but 48% consumed alcohol and only 43% met aerobic exercise guidelines and 31% met strength training guidelines. Alcohol use was more common among males [vs. females, odds ratio (OR): 1.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12, 2.14], employed cancer survivors (vs. retired OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.84), and those with higher incomes (<$50,000 vs. $100,000+ (ref.) OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.94). Cancer survivors less likely to meet aerobic exercise guidelines included those who were not retired or employed (e.g. disabled; vs. retired OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.86), with incomes <$50,000 (vs. $100,000+ OR: 95% CI: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.78), and residing in non-metropolitan areas (vs. metropolitan with 1 + million residents, OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.81). Females and retired cancer survivors were less likely to meet strength training guidelines (males vs. females (ref.) OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.23, 2.12; employed vs. retired (ref.) OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.66). Lower education was strongly associated with beliefs that cancer risk is outside individual control (OR’s: 1.73–3.85). Beliefs about health behaviors and cancer risk were not associated with health behavior guideline adherence.
Conclusions
Smoking was uncommon in this sample of cancer survivors, but many reported alcohol use and did not meet exercise guidelines. Patterns of sociodemographic factors differed by behavior. Alcohol use was more common among males and those with higher incomes. Cancer survivors with lower incomes and residing in non-metropolitan areas had the highest need for physical activity interventions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Health behaviors, and beliefs about health behaviors and cancer risk, among US cancer survivors: a HINTS-SEER study
- Creators
- Erin L. Van Blarigan - University of California SystemStephen Li - University of California SystemRobin C. Vanderpool - National Cancer InstituteSalma Shariff-Marco - University of California SystemSarah H. Nash - University of IowaMeg McKinley - University of California SystemNicole Senft Everson - National Cancer InstituteAngela L. W. Meisner - University of New MexicoJess Gorzelitz - University of Iowa, Holden Comprehensive Cancer CenterScarlett L. Gomez - University of California SystemMindy C. DeRouen - University of California System
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cancer survivorship research & care, Vol.3(1), 2531876
- DOI
- 10.1080/28352610.2025.2531876
- PMID
- 41358274
- PMCID
- PMC12680075
- NLM abbreviation
- Cancer Surviv Res Care
- ISSN
- 2835-2610
- eISSN
- 2835-2610
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/31/2025
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Center for Social Science Innovation; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Community and Behavioral Health; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984865315002771
Metrics
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