ASPO Abstracts
Physical activity, sitting time, and global mental and physical health among cancer survivors vs. cancer-free older adults
Category: Survivorship & Health Outcomes/Comparative Effectiveness Research
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Purpose: Few studies examine associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
(MVPA) and sitting time with quality of life in cancer survivors compared to a cancer-free
group. This study examined differences in global mental and physical health (GMH, GPH)
across levels of MVPA and sitting time among cancer survivors and cancer-free
participants of similar age.
Methods: Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort participants (59.9% women, age
77.8±5.8 years) were grouped as: 1) cancer survivors 1-5 years post-diagnosis (n=3,718),
2) cancer survivors 6-10 years post-diagnosis (n=4,248), and 3) cancer-free adults
(n=69,857). All participants completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement
Information System® GMH and GPH measures and self-reported MVPA and sitting time
in 2009. Mean differences in GMH and GPH t-scores across levels of MVPA (none, 0-
<7.5, 7.5-<15, 15-<22.5, 22.5+ Metabolic Equivalent [MET]-hours/week) and sitting time
(0-<3, 3-<6, 6+ hours/day) were assessed using generalized linear models adjusted for
age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, comorbidities, smoking, and body mass index.
Results: Mean GMH and GPH were statistically significantly higher in cancer-free
participants compared to survivors, though differences were not clinically meaningful
(GMH mean difference = 0.52, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.24-0.79, GPH mean
difference = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.60-1.16). However, higher volume of MVPA was associated
with higher GMH and GPH for all three groups (p-trends<0.001), and differences between
the least and most active were clinically meaningful. For example, among long-term
survivors, those with no MVPA (n=1,039) averaged 47.04 in GMH and 43.99 in GPH,
while those with 22.5+ MET- hr/wk (n=601) averaged 52.49 and 51.31 for GMH and GPH
after covariate adjustment. Similarly, lower duration of sitting time was associated with
higher GMH and GPH for all groups (p-trends<0.001), with clinically meaningful
differences between the least and most sedentary. Results were not significantly different
when excluding those dying within one year of their survey date.
Conclusions: These findings provide evidence for the importance of increased MVPA and
decreased sitting time for improved health in older adults with or without a prior cancer
diagnosis.
Keywords: physical activity, global health, survivors