Health behaviour practices and expectations for a local cancer survivorship programme: a cross-sectional study of survivors of childhood cancer in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Med J
; 28(1): 33-44, 2022 Feb.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35086965
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Lifestyle choices may influence health outcomes in cancer survivors. This study of childhood cancer survivors in Hong Kong investigated factors associated with health-protective and health-damaging behaviours; it also examined expectations of a survivorship programme.METHODS:
This cross-sectional study recruited survivors of childhood cancer ≥2 years after treatment. Survivors completed a structured questionnaire to report their health practices and the perceived values of survivorship programme components. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with health behaviours.RESULTS:
Two hundred survivors were recruited (mean age=23.4 ± 8.8 years; mean duration since treatment, 13.4 ± 7.6 years). Comparatively few survivors exercised ≥4 days/week (16.0%), used sun protection (18.0%), and had a balanced diet (38.5%). Furthermore, comparatively few survivors reported that they had not undergone any immunisation (24.5%) or were unsure (18.5%) about their immunisation history. Most adult survivors were never-drinkers (71.0%) and never-smokers (93.0%). Brain tumour survivors were more likely to have unhealthy eating habits, compared with haematological malignancy survivors (odds ratio [OR]=2.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.29-4.68). Lower socioeconomic status was associated with inadequate sun protection (OR=0.20; 95% CI=0.05-0.83), smoking (OR=5.13; 95% CI=1.48-17.75), and exposure to second-hand smoke (OR=3.52; 95% CI=1.42-8.69). Late-effects screening (78.5%) and psychosocial services to address psychological distress (77%) were considered essential components of a survivorship programme.CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the low prevalences of health-damaging behaviours, local survivors of childhood cancer are not engaging in health-protective behaviours. A multidisciplinary programme addressing late effects and psychosocial aspects may address the multifaceted needs of this special population.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cancer Survivors
/
Neoplasms
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Hong Kong Med J
Journal subject:
MEDICINA
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Hong Kong