Lifestyle Behaviors in Elderly Cancer Survivors: A Comparison With Middle-Age Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Purpose: Improved cancer screening and treatment have led to a greater focus on cancer survivorship care. Older cancer survivors may be a unique population. We evaluated whether older cancer survivors (age ≥ 65 years) had lifestyle behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge distinct from younger survivors.

Patients and methods: Adult cancer survivors with diverse cancer subtypes were recruited from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto, Ontario, Canada). Multivariable models evaluated the effect of age on smoking, alcohol, and physical activity habits, attitudes toward and knowledge of these habits on cancer outcomes, and lifestyle information and recommendations received from health care providers, adjusted for sociodemographic and clinicopathologic covariates.

Results: Among the 616 survivors recruited, 23% (n = 139) were older. Median follow-up since diagnosis was 24 months. Older survivors were more likely ex-smokers and less likely current smokers than younger survivors, but they were less likely to know that smoking could affect cancer treatment (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.53; P = .007) or prognosis (adjusted OR, 0.53; P = .008). Older survivors were more likely to perceive alcohol as improving overall survival (adjusted OR, 2.39; P = .02). Rates of meeting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines 1 year before diagnosis (adjusted OR, 0.55; P = .02) and maintaining and improving their exercise levels to meet these guidelines after diagnosis (adjusted OR, 0.48; P = .02) were lower in older survivors. Older and younger cancer survivors reported similar rates of receiving lifestyle behavior information from health care providers (P = .36 to .98).

Conclusion: Older cancer survivors reported being less aware of the impact of smoking on their overall health, more likely perceived alcohol as beneficial to survival, and were less likely to meet exercise goals compared with younger survivors. Survivorship programs need to consider age when counseling on lifestyle behaviors.