Health behaviours and quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors

Grimmett, Chloe, Bridgewater, John, Steptoe, Andrew and Wardle, Jane (2011) Health behaviours and quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors. Quality of Life Research, 20 (8), 1237-1245. (doi:10.1007/s11136-011-9855-1). (PMID:21286822)

Abstract

Purpose
As cancer survival rates improve, there is growing interest in the role of lifestyle in longer-term health and quality of life (QoL). This study examined the prevalence of health-related behaviours, and the associations between health behaviours and QoL, in colorectal cancer survivors.

Methods
Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer within the last 5 years identified from five London (UK) hospitals (N = 495) completed a survey that included measures of fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake, physical activity, smoking status and alcohol consumption. The EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire was used to index QoL.

Results
The majority of respondents were overweight/obese (58%), not physically active (<5 bouts of moderate activity per week; 82%) and ate fewer than five portions of F&V a day (57%). Few were smokers (6%) or heavy drinkers (weekly alcohol units >21 for men and >14 for women; 8%). Physical activity showed the strongest association with functional QoL and was also associated with lower fatigue, pain and insomnia (P < 0.05). F&V intake was associated with higher global QoL and physical, role and cognitive function (P < 0.05). Using a total health behaviour score (calculated by assigning one point for each of the following behaviours: not smoking, consuming ?5 portions of F&V a day, being physically active and having moderate alcohol consumption), there was a linear relationship with global QoL, physical function and fatigue (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
A high proportion of colorectal cancer survivors in the UK have suboptimal health behaviours, and this is associated with poorer QoL.

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Contributors

Author: Chloe Grimmett

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