Cancer-related knowledge and health status among cancer survivors in Portugal

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Cancer-related knowledge and health status among cancer survivors in Portugal

Terça, 23.01.2018

Authors and Afilliations:

Ana Rute Costaa, Pedro Moura-Ferreirab, Nuno Luneta,c

EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal

b Instituto de Ciências Sociais, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

c Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal

 

Abstract: This paper aimed to compare cancer-related knowledge and health status, as well as lifestyles and health care use, between cancer survivors and individuals with no previous cancer diagnosis. For this purpose, we selected cancer survivors and sex-, age- and education-matched (1:4) subjects with no self-reported diagnosis of cancer, among participants of a national population-based study. Except for “impaired working capacity”, cancer survivors tended to identify more often all health problems as potential consequences of cancer, particularly “cancer recurrence”. They also reported a poorer health status and higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, depression and anxiety. Use of medicines, annual screening for breast, cervix and prostate cancers were more frequent among cancer survivors. No statistically significant differences were observed regarding the identification of the most important behaviour for cancer preventions, and for smoking, alcohol intake, consumption of fruits and/or vegetables, and physical activity as well. Therefore, in this study, cancer survivors reported a poorer health status and a more frequent use of medicines and cancer screening. There is also margin for improving their cancer-related knowledge.

 

Journal: Gaceta Sanitaria

 

Link: http://gacetasanitaria.org/es/cancer-related-knowledge-health-status-among/avance/S0213911117301735/