Attitudes toward Risk Factor Behavior of Relatives of Cancer Patients

Kristeller, Jean L.; Hébert, James R.; Edmiston, Kathryn; Liepman, Michael R.; Wertheimer, Michael; Ward, Allen; Luippold, Rose S.

doi:10.1006/pmed.1996.0042

Cited by 37 publications

(29 citation statements)

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“…One recent study found that 42% of first-degree relatives of breast cancer patients self-reported making at least one health behavior change (dietary, exercise, alcohol, or smoking) after their relative's diagnosis and in another study, the rate of meeting physical activity guidelines among firstdegree relatives of breast cancer patients was higher than the rate among women in the general population (24,25). In a study of relatives of cancer patients (breast, lung, and other), 25% reported changing their diet after their relative's diagnosis, and additional relatives expressed an intention to do so (26). Women with a family history of breast cancer strong enough to qualify for BRCA1/2 testing have been reported to have better health behaviors than women in the general population (27,28); however, women presenting for genetic testing in a high-risk clinic may not be representative of all high-risk women.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Preventive Health Behaviors and Familial Breast Cancer

Madlensky

Vierkant

Vachon

et al. 2005

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &Amp; Prevention

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Aim: To examine medical and lifestyle preventive behaviors among women with varying levels of familial breast cancer risk. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from the Minnesota Breast Cancer Family Study, a historical cohort of 426 families, we compared medical (mammography adherence, antiestrogen use, and prophylactic surgery) and lifestyle (physical activity, smoking, alcohol, and diet) behaviors across three groups of cancer-free women ages 18 to 95 defined by their family history of breast cancer. Family history was classified as high-risk, moderate-risk, or average to low-risk depending on the number and degree of relationship of family members with breast cancer. Results: After adjusting for age and education, high-risk women were twice as likely to have ever used an antiestrogenic agent (9.0% versus 4.6% among moderaterisk and 4.1% among average to low-risk; P = 0.002). Among women ages <40, the high-risk group were more likely to have ever had a mammogram (82% versus 47% among moderate-risk and 35% among average to low-risk; P < 0.001). Average to low-risk women were the least likely to be current smokers and high-risk women may consume slightly fewer fruits and vegetables compared with the other groups, but there were no other differences in lifestyle behaviors, including physical activity and alcohol use.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Preventive Health Behaviors and Familial Breast Cancer

Madlensky

Vierkant

Vachon

et al. 2005

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &Amp; Prevention

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“…It was initially hypothesized that caregiving might have adverse impacts on the health behavior of caregivers, and studies focused on the negative impacts of caregiving. Studies performed over the past decade have suggested that the diagnosis of cancer can have positive as well as negative effects on the health behavior of caregivers [19][20][21][22][23][24]. However, most of these studies were conducted in first-degree relatives of breast cancer survivors, and the use of preventive measures such as cancer screening or chronic disease screening was not examined.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral risk factors and use of preventive screening services among spousal caregivers of cancer patients

Son

Park

Lee

et al. 2010

Support Care Cancer

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“…This notion has received some support as the female relatives of cancer survivors appear aware of risk factors for cancer [24], are more likely to engage in regular physical activity [4], and have regular mammograms than women without a family history of cancer [27]. Lemon et al [25] found that 42% of the first-degree female relatives (FDFR) of women with breast cancer reported making at least one positive health behavior change in the first 6 months post diagnosis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of a cancer diagnosis on the health behaviors of cancer survivors and their family and friends

Humpel

Magee

Jones

2007

Support Care Cancer

124

127

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Goals The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a cancer diagnosis on the health behaviors of cancer survivors and their family and friends, and to determine whether a cancer diagnosis could be a teachable moment for intervention. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional study of the health behaviors of individuals taking part in a cancer fundraising event. The questionnaire was completed by 657 participants. Main results Participants were 81.4% women, had a mean age of 46 years, and comprised of 17.2% cancer survivors. For cancer survivors, 31.3% reported an increase in physical activity, 50% of smokers quit, and 59 to 72% reported dietary improvements within 1 month of diagnosis. Significant differences in behavior change were found by age, but not by gender or education. For individuals without cancer, 24.3% reported improved physical activity and the majority reported some dietary changes. A greater proportion of family and friends who perceived they were at greater risk of developing cancer increased physical activity and sun-smart behavior but did not improve dietary habits. Conclusions The results indicate that the cancer survivors made significantly more positive health behavior changes compared to the non-cancer group. For this sample, a personal diagnosis of cancer, or a diagnosis in a family member or friend, may have acted as a 'cue to action' to improve lifestyle health behaviors. This field of research is still at an early stage, and further studies are needed to confirm if this situation could be useful as a 'teachable moment' for intervention purposes. Abstract GoalsThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of a cancer diagnosis on the health behaviors of cancer survivors and their family and friends, and to determine whether a cancer diagnosis could be a teachable moment for intervention. Materials and methodsThis was a cross-sectional study of the health behaviors of individuals taking part in a cancer fundraising event. The questionnaire was completed by 657 participants. Main resultsParticipants were 81.4% women, had a mean age of 46 years, and comprised of 17.2% cancer survivors. For cancer survivors, 31.3% reported an increase in physical activity, 50% of smokers quit, and 59 to 72% reported dietary improvements within 1 month of diagnosis. Significant differences in behavior change were found by age, but not by gender or education. For individuals without cancer, 24.3% reported improved physical activity and the majority reported some dietary changes. A greater proportion of family and friends who perceived they were at greater risk of developing cancer increased physical activity and sun-smart behavior but did not improve dietary habits. ConclusionsThe results indicate that the cancer survivors made significantly more positive health behavior changes compared to the non-cancer group. For this sample, a personal diagnosis of cancer, or a diagnosis in a family member or friend, may have acted as a 'cue to action' to improve lifestyle health behaviors. This fi...

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Attitudes toward Risk Factor Behavior of Relatives of Cancer Patients

Cited by 37 publications

References 0 publications

Preventive Health Behaviors and Familial Breast Cancer

Preventive Health Behaviors and Familial Breast Cancer

Behavioral risk factors and use of preventive screening services among spousal caregivers of cancer patients

The impact of a cancer diagnosis on the health behaviors of cancer survivors and their family and friends

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