Few cancer survivors fully adhere to ACS nutrition and physical activity guidelines

Only 4% of cancer survivors fully adhere to current American Cancer Society (ACS) nutrition and physical activity guidelines, according to study results published online April 18. JAMA Oncology.

Carter Bowman, M.D., of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, using the 2017, 2019, and 2021 survey administration years. The primary outcome was adherence to current ACS. Nutrition and physical activity guidelines. A total of 10,020 respondents reported completing cancer treatment, representing 2.7 million Americans. Overall, 9,121 of the respondents completed the questionnaire on all four indicators measured.

Researchers found that 72%, 68%, 12%, and 50% of cancer survivors met standards for adequate physical activity, were not obese, ate enough fruits and vegetables, and did not drink alcohol. Each of them discovered that it was not. Her 4 percent of survivors complied with all four of her guidelines. The average number of guidelines met was 2.0. Female gender, older age, black race, higher education level, and residence in a western state were associated with higher adherence.

“Improved widespread and systematic counseling of these guidelines for oncologists and general internists is essential to improve the uptake of healthy behaviors in this vulnerable patient population,” the authors wrote. writing.