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BACKGROUND: Maine has some of the highest cancer mortality and incidence rates in the nation. The Maine Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (MCCCP) wanted to better understand cancer survivorship in Maine to plan efforts that would promote health and improve survival and quality of life among this population.
METHODS: We analyzed 2011-2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to examine demographic characteristics, coexisting chronic diseases, quality of life, risk factors, and screening among Maine adult cancer survivors compared to all other Maine adults. Cancer survivors were defined as those who answered “yes” to either of the BRFSS questions “Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse or other health professional that you had skin cancer?” and “…other types of cancer?” SAS survey procedures were used to analyze the complex sample survey data; data were weighted to adjust for non-response and be more representative of Maine adults.
RESULTS: During 2011-2012, 12.0% of Maine adults were cancer survivors. Maine cancer survivors were more likely to be female, older, college graduates, and Medicare beneficiaries than other Maine adults. 37.2% of cancer survivors had two or more other chronic diseases, significantly higher than 27.3% among other adults. The percentage with 14+ poor mental health days in the past month was similar among cancer survivors and other adults, while the percentage with 14+ poor physical health days was significantly higher among cancer survivors than other adults (20.3% vs 12.2%, respectively). Cancer survivors were less likely to be current smokers (14.4% vs. 22.4%) and heavy drinkers (5.8% vs. 7.4%) than other adults, but there were no significant differences between the groups in meeting physical activity guidelines (44.1% vs. 43.2%) or obesity (26.9% vs. 28.3%). Cancer survivors were more likely to be up-to-date with breast (84.9% vs. 78.5%), colorectal (80.8% vs. 70.1%), and cervical (93.2% vs. 87.6%) cancer screening than other adults. Analyses were also stratified by type of cancer (skin cancer, other types of cancer).
CONCLUSIONS: A substantial percentage of Maine cancer survivors are also living with other chronic conditions and report poor physical health. While some risk factors and screening measures appear better in cancer survivors than other adults, many survivors are still smokers, do not get enough physical activity, are obese, and are not up-to-date with appropriate breast and colorectal cancer screening. The MCCCP will use these data to design efforts to promote health, survival, and quality of life among cancer survivors.