Prevalence and associated factors of poor lifestyle behaviours in survivors of childhood cancer: a PanCareFollowUp substudy
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: PURPOSE: Poor lifestyle behaviours may contribute to the development or worsening of late effects after childhood cancer. The aims of this study were to determine the baseline prevalence and associated factors of poor lifestyle behaviours among childhood cancer survivors of the European PanCareFollowUp study cohort. METHODS: In Belgium, Sweden, Czechia, and Italy, 812 childhood cancer survivors were recruited. Outcomes were self-reported poor lifestyle behaviours, defined as low physical activity (<75 min of vigorous or <150 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week), current smoking (yes/no), alcohol consumption (≥3 units of alcohol per week), and drug use in the past year (yes/no). The prevalence of poor lifestyle behaviours was calculated and associations with sociodemographic characteristics, cancer history, physical health, pain, fatigue, and survivors' level of empowerment were estimated using multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: For these analyses, 777 participants were included, of whom 27% of survivors reported low physical activity, 15% smoked, 19% consumed ≥3 units of alcohol per week, and 9% used drugs in the past year. The smoking prevalence differed per country and was highest among survivors from Czechia (23%) and Italy (22%) and lowest in Belgium (10%) and Sweden (5%). Associated factors with any of the four poor lifestyle behaviours included male sex, lower educational attainment, reduced physical health, pain, and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Study results show that survivors in each of the four countries may benefit from personalised interventions to promote healthier behaviours, and that reduced physical health, pain, and fatigue may present modifiable targets. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: These findings can be used to develop targeted lifestyle interventions, thereby optimising survivors' lifestyle behaviours, health outcomes, and quality of life.
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Authors: Selina R. van den Oever, Leontien C. M. Kremer, Helena J. H. van der Pal, Mieke Rijken, Gisela Michel, Andrea Beccaria, Eline Bouwman, Jeroen te Dorsthorst, Samira Essiaf, Elizabeth Lieke A. M. Feijen, Cecilia Follin, Line Elmerdahl Frederiksen, Hannah Gsell, Maria van Helvoirt, Rosella P. M. G. Hermens, Lars Hjorth, Tomas Kepak, Katerina Kepakova, Anita Kienesberger, Marietta Kokla, Monica Muraca, Kylie O’Brien, Marleen Renard, Katharina Roser, Carina Schneider, Roderick Skinner, Ramona Tallone, Anne Uyttebroeck, Deveny Vanrusselt, Sabine Verschueren, Jeanette Falck Winther, Jacqueline Loonen, Saskia M. F. Pluijm
Institutions: Princess Máxima Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, University of Lucerne, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Radboud University Nijmegen, Radboud University Medical Center, European Society for Paediatric Oncology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Danish Cancer Society, KU Leuven, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pintail (Ireland), Royal Victoria Infirmary, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle University
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,790
Funders: European Commission, Horizon 2020
OpenAlex ID: W7203624214