The prevalence of current smokers and alcohol drinkers among cancer survivors and subjects with no history of cancer among participants in a community‐based cardiometabolic screening program in Miyagi prefecture, Japan: a comparison with nationally representative surveys in other countries

Abstract Breast cancer survivors may experience accelerated decline in cognitive functioning compared to same-aged peers with no cancer history (Small et al., 2015). Survivors may show important differences in mean-level performance or variability in cognitive functioning compared to those without a history of cancer (Yao et al., 2016). This study compared ambulatory cognitive functioning in a sample of breast cancer survivors and an age-matched community sample without a history of cancer (n_cancer=47, n_non-cancer=105, age range: 40-64 years, M=52.13 years). Participants completed three cognitive tasks measuring working memory, executive functioning, and processing speed up to five times per day for 14 days. Results indicated no mean-level differences in cognitive performance on the three tasks between cancer survivors and those without cancer history (p’s>.05). Unexpectedly, women without cancer history showed more variability than survivors on working memory but not on the other two tasks. Across both groups, those without a college education performed worse on executive functioning (B=-0.05, SE=0.03, p<.05) and working memory (B=0.94, SE=0.36, p<.05) compared to those that completed college. Additionally, older age was associated with slower processing speed (B=31.67, SE=7.44, p<.001). In sum, this study did not find mean-level group differences in cognitive functioning between cancer survivors and age-matched women without a history of cancer. Contrary to hypotheses, those without a history of cancer were more variable on working memory. Results suggested similarities in cognitive functioning in the two samples and that education and age are important predictors of cognitive functioning independent of cancer history.

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Impact of individual- and area-level race/ethnicity on illness intrusiveness among cancer survivors

Translational Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/tbm/ibz088 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 1208-1215

Author(s):

Corinne R Leach ◽

Rhyan N Vereen ◽

Arthi V Rao ◽

Katherine Ross ◽

Michael A Diefenbach

Keyword(s):

Cancer Survivors ◽

Daily Life ◽

Recent History ◽

Illness Intrusiveness ◽

History Of ◽

Race Ethnicity ◽

Cancer Experience ◽

History Of Cancer

For many people with a recent history of cancer, their cancer experience intrudes into various aspects of daily life. The neighborhood in which one lives can impact how much cancer intrudes into their life.

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Quality of life and mental health in breast cancer survivors compared with non-cancer controls: a study of patient-reported outcomes in the United Kingdom

Journal of Cancer Survivorship ◽

10.1007/s11764-020-00950-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Helena Carreira ◽

Rachael Williams ◽

Harley Dempsey ◽

Susannah Stanway ◽

Liam Smeeth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Primary Care ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Patient Reported ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Cancer

Abstract Purpose There is limited high-quality evidence on quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in breast cancer survivors and women with no history of cancer. We aimed to address this by comparing patient-reported outcomes between breast cancer survivors and women with no history of breast cancer. Methods Breast cancer survivors and women with no prior cancer were selected from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD primary care database, which includes population-based primary care electronic health record data. Breast cancer survivors and controls were frequency matched by age and primary care practice. Outcomes were assessed with validated instruments via postal questionnaire. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to estimate adjusted associations between breast cancer survivorship and outcomes. Results A total of 356 breast cancer survivors (8.1 years post diagnosis) and 252 women with no prior cancer participated in the study. Compared with non-cancer controls, breast cancer survivors had poorer QoL in the domains of cognitive problems (adjusted β (aβ) = 1.4, p = 0.01), sexual function (aβ = 1.7, p = 0.02) and fatigue (aβ = 1.3, p = 0.01), but no difference in negative feelings, positive feelings, pain, or social avoidance. Breast cancer survivors had higher odds of borderline-probable anxiety (score ≥ 8) (adjusted OR = 1.47, 95%CI:1.15–1.87), but no differences in depression. Advanced stage at diagnosis and chemotherapy treatment were associated with poorer QoL. Conclusions Compared with women with no history of cancer, breast cancer survivors report more problems with cognition, sexual function, fatigue, and anxiety, particularly where their cancer was advanced and/or treated with chemotherapy. Implications for Cancer Survivors Breast cancer survivors with more advanced disease and/or treated with chemotherapy should be closely monitored and, when possible, offered evidence-based intervention for fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and sexual problems.

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Job Discrimination Against People With A Cancer History

Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling ◽

10.1891/0047-2220.26.2.12 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 12-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

John V. Conti

Keyword(s):

Cancer Survivors ◽

Job Market ◽

Skill Levels ◽

Cancer History ◽

Current Information ◽

Job Discrimination ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Cancer

Job discrimination against persons with a history of cancer is common and is found at all skill levels and throughout all fields of employment. Irrational fears, lack of current information, and distortions in perception prevent counselors, and society in general, from viewing the work potential of persons with a cancer history objectively. Due to significant improvements in the treatment of some forms of cancer, there is a large new group of young cancer survivors in need of guidance and advocacy to enter or re-enter the job market. Legal protections are in place but largely unused by cancer survivors. Suggestions are offeredfor increasing individual and systemic advocacy for this population, and some recommendations for future effort are made.

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Transdermal testosterone in female cancer survivors with decreased libido

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2006.24.18_suppl.8507 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽

pp. 8507-8507 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D. L. Barton ◽

C. Loprinzi ◽

D. Wender ◽

R. Dalton ◽

E. Balcueva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Survivors ◽

Primary Endpoint ◽

Sexual Desire ◽

Sexual Functioning ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Type I ◽

History Of ◽

Patient Change ◽

Female Cancer Survivors ◽

History Of Cancer

8507 Background: Problems with sexual functioning are an issue negatively affecting the quality of life of female cancer survivors. Testosterone has been implicated as an important hormone in sexual functioning such as libido. Studies of transdermal testosterone have shown benefit in enhancing libido in women who have been diagnosed with hypoactive sexual desire disorder after bilateral oophorectomy. This phase III placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated whether transdermal testosterone would increase libido in female cancer survivors. Methods: Women with a history of cancer, currently without evidence of disease, were eligible if they reported a decrease in sexual desire and had a sexual partner. Women must have been postmenopausal. Eligible women were randomized to receive 2% testosterone in Vanicream (10 mg daily) versus placebo Vanicream for four weeks, then crossed over to the opposite treatment. The primary endpoint, libido, was measured via the desire subscales of the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ), which were completed at baseline and at the end of 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The primary endpoint was the average intra-patient change from baseline to four weeks in the CSFQ subscales between the two arms. A total of 64 patients per group were needed to provide 80% power to detect a difference of 8 units between the treatment means. Two-sided alternative hypothesis testing and a 5% Type I error rate were used. Results: One hundred fifty women were enrolled onto this study. Complete data were available for 132 women. For those on active testosterone cream, serum bioavailable testosterone levels increased significantly over placebo, with a mean change from baseline of 12 and 10 ng/dl for the first and second period, respectively (p<.0001). The average intra-patient change from baseline to week 4 in libido was 5.5 on testosterone and 4.4 on placebo (p=0.58). No carryover effect was detected. The difference in average intra-patient changes from baseline for the entire crossover design between the two arms was only 1.1 points (95% confidence interval of -1.2 to 3.4, p=0.35). Conclusion: Testosterone is not a panacea for libido troubles in women with a history of cancer. Further studies are needed to determine whether there is a role for transdermal testosterone in this population. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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Smoking and binge drinking among cancer survivors: The forth Korean national health and nutrition examination surveys (KNHANES IV, 2007-2009).

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.4_suppl.28 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (4_suppl) ◽

pp. 28-28

Author(s):

Mi Ah Han ◽

Myeung Guen Oh ◽

Jong Park ◽

So Yeon Ryu ◽

Seong Woo Choi

Keyword(s):

Cancer Survivors ◽

Binge Drinking ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

National Health ◽

Smoking Rate ◽

Control Groups ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Cancer

28 Background: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of smoking and binge drinking among cancer survivors in Korea, and to compare these rates with those of two control groups: individuals without a history of cancer but with other chronic diseases, and individuals without a history of cancer and without other chronic diseases. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional analysis of 37,878 adults ≥20 years old who participated in the Forth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES IV, 2007-2009). The prevalence of smoking and binge drinking were assessed and compared to two control groups. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the likelihood and predictors of current smoking and binge drinking. Results: The prevalence of smoking and binge drinking were 9.6% and 6.6% among cancer survivors, respectively. Cancer survivors showed lower smoking rate compared with both control groups after adjusting gender, age, marital status, education, income and health insurance. Survivors’ smoking and binge drinking did not vary substantially by the clinical factors assessed. Conclusions: In our study, the smoking rate was significantly low in cancer survivor compared with both control groups. This result suggested that cancer survivors were more likely than individuals without a cancer history to obtain good health related behavior.

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Is cancer history associated with asset ownership, debt, and net worth in the United States?

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.e18085 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e18085-e18085

Author(s):

Maryam Doroudi ◽

Diarmuid Coughlan ◽

Matthew P. Banegas ◽

K Robin Yabroff

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

The United States ◽

Medical Expenditure ◽

Age Group ◽

Asset Ownership ◽

Cancer History ◽

Net Worth ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Cancer

e18085 Background: Financial hardships experienced by cancer survivors in the United States have become significant social and public health issues. Few studies have assessed the underlying financial holdings, including ownership and values of assets and debts, of individuals following a cancer diagnosis. This study assessed the association between a cancer history and asset ownership, debt, and net worth. Methods: We identified 1,603 cancer survivors and 34,915 individuals without a history of cancer aged 18-64 from the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component and Asset sections (years 2008-2011). Descriptive statistics were used to assess demographic characteristics, cancer history, asset ownership, debt, and net worth by cancer history. Regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between cancer history and net worth, stratified by age group (18-34, 35-44, 45-54, and 55-64 years) to reflect stages of the life-course. Results: Asset ownership was least common for cancer survivors and individuals without a cancer history in the 18-34 age group and most common in the 55-64 age group. Cancers survivors aged 45-54 had a lower proportion of home ownership than individuals without a cancer history (59% vs 67%; p = 0.001). Nearly 20% of all respondents reported at least some debt. The proportion of cancer survivors with debt was higher than individuals without a history of cancer, especially in the 18-34 age group (41% vs 27%; p < 0.001), although it did not vary by age group. When asset and debt values were combined to assess net worth, cancer survivors aged 45-54 were significantly more likely to have a negative net worth and significantly less likely to have a positive net worth than those individuals without a history of cancer in fully adjusted models. Findings on net worth were similar in the 18-34 age group, although only statistically significant in unadjusted and partially adjusted models. Conclusions: We found that cancer history is associated with asset ownership, debt, and net worth, especially in those aged 45-54 years. Longitudinal studies to assess patterns of financial holdings throughout the cancer experience are warranted.

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Population Estimates of Meeting Strength Training and Aerobic Guidelines, by Gender and Cancer Survivorship Status: Findings From the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS)

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2014-0003 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 675-679 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Allison Ottenbacher ◽

Mandi Yu ◽

Richard P. Moser ◽

Siobhan M. Phillips ◽

Catherine Alfano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Strength Training ◽

Health Information ◽

Population Estimates ◽

Cancer History ◽

Aerobic Activity ◽

History Of ◽

National Trends ◽

History Of Cancer

Background:Evidence is building that strength training may reduce complications associated with cancer such as fatigue, muscle wasting, and lymphedema, particularly among breast and prostate cancer survivors. Population estimates are available for rates of aerobic physical activity; however, data on strength training in this population are limited. The objective of this study was to identify rates of meeting public health recommendations for strength training and aerobic activity among cancer survivors and individuals with no cancer history.Methods:Data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), Iteration 4 Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 were combined to conduct the analyses. Missing data were imputed, and weighted statistical analyses were conducted in SAS.Results:The proportion of individuals meeting both strength training and aerobic guidelines were low for both cancer survivors and those without a history of cancer. The odds of meeting strength training guidelines were significantly lower for women with a history of any cancer except breast, compared with women with no history of cancer (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.51−0.96).Conclusions:More work needs to be done to understand why women with cancers other than breast, may be less inclined to engage in aerobic physical activity and strength training.

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