Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery Since 2002

CDC: Surveillance of Demographic Characteristics and Health Behaviors Among Adult Cancer Survivors

Surveillance of Demographic Characteristics and Health Behaviors Among Adult Cancer Survivors — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2009 – MMWR / January 20, 2012 / Vol. 61 / No. 1

  • “A cancer survivor is a person who has received a diagnosis of cancer, from the time of diagnosis throughout the person’s life (1–3). The aging of the U.S. population has resulted in an increase in the number of cancer diagnoses, and because of improvements in early detection and treatment, the number of cancer survivors has steadily increased during the last 3 decades. As of 2007, nearly 12 million cancer survivors were living in the United States. Cancer survivors often face long-term adverse physical, psychosocial, and financial effects from their cancer diagnosis and treatment; the impact of cancer on family members, friends, and caregivers of survivors is considered a part of cancer survivorship. Cancer survivors have a greater risk for new cancers compared with persons who have never had cancer. Various healthy lifestyle behaviors have been shown to prevent new malignancies and decrease the chances of recurrence among cancer survivors. Prevention and cessation of tobacco use (primarily cigarette smoking), regular physical activity (15), maintenance of a healthy weight, and routine consultation with health-care providers about follow-up care after a cancer diagnosis (i.e., survivorship care plans) have shown evidence of the ability to prevent new cancers or cancer recurrence, increase survival, and strengthen quality of life after a cancer diagnosis. Survivor-specific resources and support are necessary to promote positive health outcomes and improve quality of life.”
  • Sorry, comments are closed for this post.