Cancer patient interest and perceptions of health behavior change programs.
98 Background: Health behavior change including smoking cessation, physical activity (PA) and alcohol moderation are important aspects of cancer survivorship. We assessed cancer pt interest and perceptions of programs for these behaviours. Methods: 501 cancer pts were surveyed on their smoking, PA and alcohol use along with their interest and perceptions for programs for these behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression models identified factors associated with pt interest and perceptions. Results: At diagnosis, 115 pts smoked; 184 were exposed to second hand smoke (SHS); 313 did not meet PA guidelines; 238 were drinking alcohol. At risk pts’ (e.g, smokers for smoking cessation, SHS exposed for household smoking cessation) survey results are shown in the table. Most pts perceived smoking (90%), SHS (83%) and alcohol (56%) to be harmful on quality of life, survival and fatigue while PA (77%) was felt to improve these outcomes. These perceptions were not associated with program interest ( P> 0.05). However, pts perceiving that alcohol worsened and PA improved these outcomes were more to likely believe associated programs are beneficial (alcohol aORs = 2.1-2.2 P< 0.03; PA aORs = 1.9-3.2 P< 0.02) and should be routine care (alcohol aORs = 1.9-3.5 P< 0.03; PA aORs = 1.7-2.4 P< 0.1). Pts with more pack-yrs smoked less likely perceived a benefit in a household smoking cessation program (aOR = 1.02 P< 0.007). Pts preferred discussing programs with doctors ( > 35%) or counsellors ( > 42%). Conclusions: About half of pts feel that health behavior change programs would be beneficial and should be part of routine care. These factors were more important than perception of the behaviors on outcomes in influencing pt interest. Initial discussions with pts should focus on discussing benefits of these programs. [Table: see text]