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Non-cancer adverse health conditions and perceived health and function among cancer survivors participating in a community-based cohort study in Washington County, Maryland

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Abstract

Introduction

This study was conducted in an ongoing community-based cohort study to examine the prevalence of non-cancer adverse health conditions among cancer survivors and the association of these conditions with self-rated health and functional status.

Methods

Data were analyzed from CLUE II, a community-based cohort study in Washington County, Maryland that began in 1989. Cross-sectional comparisons were made between 1,261 cancer survivors and 1,261 age- and gender-matched individuals without a history of cancer. Information on non-cancer adverse health conditions, self-rated health, and activities of daily living was based on self-report.

Results

Compared to individuals without a history of cancer, cancer survivors were significantly more likely to report a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (33.8% versus 29.8%; p = 0.009) and endocrine disease (other than diabetes) (17.0% versus 14.3%; p = 0.02). Further, cancer survivors reporting two or more non-cancer adverse health conditions had a greater likelihood of reporting fair or poor self-rated health (odds ratio (OR) 4.11; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 3.06, 5.54), and difficulty with at least one activity of daily living (OR 6.03; 95% CI 4.01, 9.05) compared to cancer survivors who did not report other adverse health conditions.

Discussions/Conclusions

Findings from this cross-sectional data analysis indicate that cancer survivors are at increased risk for non-cancer adverse health conditions, which are associated with poorer self-rated health, more interference with normal activities, and functional limitations.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Increased attention must be given to the preventive care and treatment of non-cancer adverse health conditions among cancer survivors to decrease non-cancer morbidity and mortality and to maintain and improve quality of life.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Prevention and Research Center, Weinberg Center for Women’s Health and Medicine, Mercy Medical Center, 227 St. Paul Place, 6th Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA

    Lisa Gallicchio, Bindu Kalesan & Kathy J. Helzlsouer

  2. Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Lisa Gallicchio, Sandra C. Hoffman & Kathy J. Helzlsouer

Authors
  1. Lisa Gallicchio
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  2. Bindu Kalesan
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  3. Sandra C. Hoffman
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  4. Kathy J. Helzlsouer
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Correspondence to Lisa Gallicchio.

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Gallicchio, L., Kalesan, B., Hoffman, S.C. et al. Non-cancer adverse health conditions and perceived health and function among cancer survivors participating in a community-based cohort study in Washington County, Maryland. J Cancer Surviv 2, 12–19 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-008-0046-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-008-0046-1

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