ASPO Abstracts
Changes in behavioral risk factors for cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
Purpose: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced cancer prevention in several ways, including sharp declines in cancer screening and diagnosis. Screening rates have since improved, and efforts are underway to achieve pre-pandemic levels. Less emphasis has been placed on areas of cancer prevention that may be less likely to rebound due to the difficulties inherent in behavior change – including changes to cancer-related behaviors such as diet and physical activity. We conducted a literature review to understand trends in these behaviors during the pandemic. Methods: Peer-reviewed articles published in English since 2020 were obtained from a PubMed search on alcohol use, cancer survivorship care-seeking, diet, HPV vaccination, obesity, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and UV exposure. The search was inclusive of study types (original studies and secondary analyses), countries, and populations. Of 4851 articles identified, 1354 were included because their abstracts described a study of change in one or more of these cancer-related behaviors. Results: Of the 839 studies on a single behavior, physical activity (PA) was the most studied (285 articles). 62% of these articles report pandemic-related decreases in PA, and 32% report mixed findings for PA change. This trend was seen for obesity and sedentary behavior, with 91% of the 92 obesity articles finding an increase in obesity and all 12 sedentary behavior articles finding an increase in sitting. Most (89%) articles on HPV vaccination found a decrease. Behavior change patterns were more mixed for sleep, alcohol consumption, diet, and tobacco use. Notably, 38% of articles focused on two or more behaviors. Articles discussed numerous contributors to and moderators of behavior change, including: social connectedness, mental health, changes to employment, transition of schools and workplaces from in-person to remote, and stage of the pandemic. Conclusions: Behavioral risk factors for cancer changed in important ways during the pandemic, with potentially significant implications for cancer morbidity and mortality. This review highlights opportunities to build a research focus on pandemic-related change in cancer risk behaviors and implications for intervention.
Keywords: COVID-19, cancer-related behaviors