Health Promotion Among Older Cancer Survivors With Prior Disabling Conditions

Older cancer survivors, who often cope with multiple disabling conditions, can find health promotion challenging. This study's purpose was to explore predictors of health promotion for older cancer survivors with a disabling condition that existed prior to their cancer diagnosis. The 92 cancer survivors were predominatly women with preexisting neuromuscular impairments and an average age of 69. Half were breast cancer survivors, and 58% were 6 or more years since their cancer diagnosis. In hierarchical regression analyses, self-efficacy for health promotion and special support were the strongest predictors of total scores on the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II and its subscales. The findings suggest that nursing interventions to assist older cancer survivors with multiple chronic conditions in building their social support and perceived self-efficacy may help them lead healthier lives.