Background Dietary supplements (DSs) are not recommended for the prevention of cancer recurrence. Although DS use is common in individuals living with and beyond cancer, its associations with beliefs about reduced cancer recurrence risk and demographic and health behaviors are unclear. Methods Adults (18 years old or older) who had been diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer were recruited through National Health Service sites in Essex and London. Participants completed a mailed survey and telephone or online 24‐hour dietary recalls (MyFood24). Supplement use was collected during the dietary recalls. Associations between DS use and demographics, health behaviors, and beliefs about DSs and cancer were explored. Results Nineteen percent of 1049 individuals believed that DSs were important for the reduction of cancer recurrence risk, and 40% of individuals reported DS use. DS use was positively associated with being female (odds ratio [OR], 2.48; confidence interval [CI], 1.72‐3.56), meeting 5‐a‐day fruit and vegetable recommendations (OR, 1.36; CI, 1.02‐1.82), and believing that DSs were important for reducing cancer recurrence risk (OR, 3.13; CI, 2.35‐4.18). DS use was negatively associated with having obesity (OR, 0.58; CI, 0.38‐0.87). The most commonly taken DSs overall were fish oils (taken by 13%). Calcium with or without vitamin D was the most common DS taken by individuals with breast cancer (15%). Conclusions DS use by individuals living with and beyond cancer is associated with demographic factors and health behaviors. A belief that DSs reduce the risk of cancer recurrence is common and positively associated with DS use. There is a need for health care professionals to provide advice about DS use and cancer recurrence risk.

This study aimed to qualitatively explore how partner support for health behaviours is perceived, received, and utilised in people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC).Methods: Semi-structured audio interviews were conducted with 24 participants, 15 men and 9 women, living with and beyond breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. Inductive and deductive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data.Results: Three key themes with six subthemes were identified relating to partner support for health behaviours: 1) Interdependence (Reciprocity, Overt Control, Influence & Motivation) 2) Concordance, (Shared Attitudes & Health Beliefs, Shared Health Behaviour) and 3) Communal Coping (Communal Orientation towards Health and Decision Making, Co-operative Action in Health Behaviour). Conclusions: Partner support plays a unique and significant role in the health behaviours of people LWBC. Partners play a collaborative role in managing health and facilitating health behaviours, while the high level of concordance in couples may represent a potential barrier to change via the reinforcement of maladaptive health beliefs and behaviours. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Overall, findings demonstrate that partners should be considered and included where possible when designing future behaviour change interventions for people LWBC.

Purpose People living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) are advised to achieve a body mass index (BMI) within the healthy range (≥ 18.5 and < 25). Not perceiving a need for weight change may be a barrier to achieving a healthy weight. This study aimed to explore factors associated with perceived need for weight change among people LWBC. Methods Adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer were recruited through National Health Service sites in Essex and London. Participants (N = 5835) completed the ‘Health and Lifestyle After Cancer’ survey, which included a question on perceived need to change weight. Associations between perceived need for weight change and BMI, and perceived need for weight change and health and demographic variables, were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression, respectively. Results The proportion of participants perceiving a need to lose weight differed according to BMI category: healthy weight (23%), overweight (64%), obese (85%) (P < 0.001). Having overweight or obesity but not perceiving a need to lose weight was associated with being older, male, non-white, not married or cohabiting, and having cancer that had spread, no formal qualifications, no comorbidities, and having received chemotherapy. Conclusions Perceived need to lose weight is prevalent among people LWBC with obesity and overweight. This group may be interested in weight management support. Demographic and health factors were associated with having obesity or overweight but not perceiving a need to lose weight. Implications for cancer survivors Weight loss interventions for people LWBC are needed. A subset of people LWBC with overweight and obesity may need additional information or motivators to engage with weight management.