Perceived benefits of diet, physical activity, alcohol intake and smoking among cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study

Background
A healthy lifestyle can have various health benefits for cancer survivors, including positive effects for their general health and cancer-specific outcomes. In general, cancer survivors adhere more to smoking and alcohol recommendations, compared to diet and physical activity recommendations.

Methods
To better understand the differences in benefit perceptions among the four health behaviours, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 197 Dutch survivors with various cancer types.

Results
We found a positive association between perceiving benefits and engaging in respective health behaviours. Furthermore, cancer survivors perceived these health behaviours differently, with low alcohol intake and not smoking being perceived as more beneficial for cancer outcomes and general health, compared to having a balanced diet and engaging in physical activity. Vulnerable groups, including those recently diagnosed and those with lower perceived control, perceived health behaviours as less beneficial.

Conclusions
Diet, physical activity, not smoking and limited alcohol intake are perceived as differently beneficial by cancer survivors. These results hold important implications for patient education and communication of health behaviours to cancer survivors.