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Racial and ethnic differences in health status and health behavior among breast cancer survivors—Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2009

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Abstract

Purpose

Differences in health status and behavioral risk factors may explain racial/ethnic breast cancer disparities. We examined racial/ethnic differences in health status and behaviors among female breast cancer survivors compared to females without breast cancer.

Methods

Using cross-sectional data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a national state-based, random sample telephone survey, we explored differences in self-rated health, obesity and selected behaviors (physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, fruit, and vegetable consumption) among females aged 18 years and older, who reported a previous breast cancer diagnosis (survivors, n = 10,035) and those who reported no breast cancer history (n = 234,375) by race/ethnicity. Adjusted prevalences of health status and behaviors, accounting for sociodemographics, comorbidities and health care access, were estimated by race/ethnicity.

Results

Compared to all other racial/ethnic groups, more white females reported heavy alcohol consumption and more black females reported obesity regardless of their breast cancer status. Among breast cancer survivors, more whites (33.7 %) were former smokers compared to blacks (24.5 %), “others” (20.5 %), and Hispanics (16.2 %) (p = 0.001). Racial/ethnic differences in obesity also varied by reported time since diagnosis (p value = 0.018). Among long-term survivors (diagnosed >5 years before interview), more black survivors (34.8 %) reported obesity compared to white survivors (23.0 %). Also, among “other” race survivors, long-term survivors (22.0 %) reported more obesity than survivors diagnosed less than 5 years before interview (7.8 %).

Conclusions

These findings suggest opportunities to increase health behaviors and reduce racial disparities among breast cancer survivors.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Engaging in healthy behaviors can play a significant role in enhancing health outcomes and quality of life of breast cancer survivors. More research is needed to better understand racial differences in obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption in order to develop effective, culturally appropriate interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle after a breast cancer diagnosis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Epidemiology and Applied Research Branch, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop K-55, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA

    Arica White, Lori A. Pollack & Judith Lee Smith

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Cancer Surveillance Branch, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop F69, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA

    Trevor Thompson

  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Comprehensive Cancer Control Branch, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop K-57, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA

    J. Michael Underwood

  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Office of the Director, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop K-52, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA

    Temeika Fairley

Authors
  1. Arica White
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  2. Lori A. Pollack
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  3. Judith Lee Smith
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Correspondence to Arica White.

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The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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White, A., Pollack, L.A., Smith, J.L. et al. Racial and ethnic differences in health status and health behavior among breast cancer survivors—Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2009. J Cancer Surviv 7, 93–103 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-012-0248-4

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