Receipt of a survivorship care plan and self-reported health behaviors among cancer survivors

Abstract

Purpose

Our study aims to determine whether receipt of a written survivorship care plan (SCP) is associated with five self-reported health behaviors known to be correlated with positive long-term outcomes for cancer survivors: (1) attending a recent medical appointment, (2) exercise in the past month, (3) non-smoking status, (4) mammography in the past 2 years, and (5) up-to-date colorectal cancer screening.

Methods

In this secondary data analysis, we used data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) cancer survivorship module for 1855 off-treatment cancer survivors. Multivariable logistic regression accounting for complex survey design was used to examine the association between SCP receipt and each of the five preventive health behaviors.

Results

Overall, 37% (669/1855) of survivors reported receiving a written survivorship care plan. In the logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and disease-related factors, SCP receipt was associated with having a recent medical appointment (OR (95% CI) 2.81 (1.27–6.22)), exercise in the past month (1.78 (1.20–2.63)), non-smoking status (2.27 (1.26–4.12)), and up-to-date mammography (2.25 (1.30–3.88)). Receipt of a survivorship care plan was not associated with colorectal cancer screening (1.2 (0.73–2.03)).

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary evidence that SCPs may be helpful in promoting health behaviors among cancer survivors, including attending a regular medical appointment, mammography screening, exercise, and abstinence from smoking. Additionally, the low rates of SCP provision highlight an important missed opportunity and area for intervention.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Providing survivors with SCPs may help to increase important health behaviors.

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