Impact of immigration status on health behaviors and perceptions in cancer survivors.

Background: Health behaviors including smoking cessation, physical activity (PA), and alcohol moderation are key aspects of cancer survivorship. Immigrants may have unique survivorship needs. We evaluated whether immigrant cancer survivors had health behaviors and perceptions that were distinct from native-born cancer survivors.

Patterns, perceptions and their association with changes in alcohol consumption in cancer survivors.

Continued consumption of alcohol after a cancer diagnosis is associated with poorer outcomes. We evaluated whether perceptions of the effects of continued alcohol use and receiving information on moderating alcohol reduced alcohol consumption in adult cancer survivors. A total of 509 cancer survivors were cross-sectionally surveyed at follow-up for their alcohol use before and after cancer diagnosis and perceptions of continued drinking.

Patterns, perceptions, and perceived barriers to physical activity in adult cancer survivors.

Purpose: Physical activity (PA) during and after cancer treatment is associated with improved cancer- and non-cancer-related outcomes. We assessed for predictors of change in PA levels among cancer survivors.

Methods: Adult cancer survivors from a comprehensive cancer center completed a one-time questionnaire retrospectively assessing PA levels before, during, and after cancer treatment along with their perceptions of PA.

Socioeconomic status and lifestyle behaviours in cancer survivors: smoking and physical activity.

Purpose: Smoking cessation and increased physical activity (pa) have been linked to better outcomes in cancer survivors. We assessed whether socioeconomic factors influence changes in those behaviours after a cancer diagnosis.

Methods: As part of a cross-sectional study, a diverse group of cancer survivors at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto, ON), completed a questionnaire about past and current lifestyle behaviours and perceptions about the importance of those behaviours with respect to their health.

Cancer Patients? Willingness to Routinely Complete the EQ-5D Instrument at Clinic Visits.

Background: Health utility (HU) scores play an essential role in pharmacoeconomic analyses. Routine clinical administration of the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) can allow for HU and health related quality of life (HRQOL) assessments in the real-world setting.

Objectives: The primary goals of this study were to evaluate whether patients were willing to complete the EQ-5D instrument on a routine basis and which clinical or demographic factors influence this willingness.