A Comparison of Etiologically Similar Cancers with Behavioral Risk Factors
Loading...
Date
2011-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Many cancers have multiple causes; however certain cancers have causes that are associated with an individual’s voluntary behaviors. The purpose of this study was to research the association between behavioral risk factors and certain cancers, as well as the prevalence of these behavioral risk factors in those with the cancers studied when compared to those without cancer. The sample was acquired from the results of the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and included 259,142 adults ages 50-99. Behavioral risk factors studied were: physical activity level, smoking status, alcohol use, healthy diet, and healthy weight. Cancers examined were: breast, endometrial, and colon/rectal cancers. These cancers were studied because they are etiologically similar. Associations between each cancer and each risk factor were found based on the responses of the participants. The prevalence of risk factors was then compared between the cancer-free group and the cancers-studied group. The findings showed that there is an association between having at least one of the studied cancers and most of the behavioral risk factors. The findings also indicate that there is a difference in the prevalence of behavioral risk factors in those without cancer and those with the studied cancers. In the future, these findings may be used to help target prevention efforts in order to reduce comorbidities and to improve the quality of life in older adults.
Description
Keywords
behavioral risk factors, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colon / colorectal cancer, health promotion