A comparison of chronic conditions and health characteristics between cancer survivors and non-cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE: Cancer survivors have unique healthcare needs. An important consideration for survivorship is chronic diseases and health risk factors. The purpose of this study is to describe demographics, risk factors, and comorbid health conditions in adult cancer survivors. METHOD: We analyzed 2019 Arizona Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to compare cancer survivors to non-cancer survivors (aged 18 or older) to assess differences between the two populations. Adjusted and unadjusted population-based estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and multivariable logistic regression models were performed. RESULTS: Eight thousand nine-hundred and twenty (8920) respondents (1007 survivors; 7913 non-cancer survivors) were included. Compared to non-cancer survivors, cancer survivors were more likely to be female, 65 years and older, non-Hispanic white, veterans, and less likely to be employed. Survivors had higher rates of coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney disease, hypertension, arthritis, multiple chronic conditions, being overweight, and being a former smoker. Survivors were more likely to report fair/poor health than non-cancer survivors. DISCUSSION: These findings can be used by healthcare and public health practitioners to evaluate the programmatic efforts and resources, implement targeted interventions toward cancer survivors, and improve health and quality of life.