ABSTRACT Background U.S. health surveillance data suggests that alcohol consumption is similar among cancer survivors and those without a cancer history. However, comparisons of the correlates of alcohol consumption between cancer survivors and those without a cancer history are lacking. Aims The purpose of this study was to examine correlates of alcohol use, particularly cancer‐related beliefs, and if correlates differed by cancer history. Methods Merged data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5, cycles 2–4 and HINTS 6 were analyzed to estimate patterns of current drinking among US adults with and without a cancer history. Multivariable logistic regression models examined associations among cancer history, cancer‐related beliefs, and drinking. Stratified models by cancer history were also examined. Results Cancer history was not associated with current drinking in adjusted models (aOR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.82–1.15, p = 0.742). After adjusting for demographic, behavioral, socio‐economic, and health factors, cancer‐related beliefs were not associated with current drinking. Correlates of drinking differed between adults with and without a cancer history. For example, among those without a cancer history, Black compared to White adults had lower odds of current drinking (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.96, p = 0.017); among cancer survivors, no association was found. Conclusions Alcohol use is similar among adults regardless of cancer history; yet the correlates of alcohol use differed by cancer history. A better understanding of the determinants of alcohol use among cancer survivors is needed to inform tailored alcohol reduction interventions.
Wiseman et al. (Sat,) studied this question.
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