Researchers assessed breast cancer survivors within three months of the survivor completing all surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation treatment for cancer and a second time three months later. Study participants completed measures assessing beliefs about the cause of their cancer; beliefs about behavioral strategies that may reduce the chance of cancer recurrence; diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption; and any changes in health practices since their cancer diagnosis.
Findings indicated that survivors who believed that unhealthy diet, insufficient exercise or alcohol consumption contributed to their cancer were more likely to modify the relevant behavior. The most robust relationship between beliefs and behavior change was found for changes in diet.
"This study suggests that cancer survivors develop their own understanding of the causes of their cancer and the behavior changes that may prevent recurrence, and then take an active problem-solving approach to help reduce risk of a future cancer," says co-author Bernardine Pinto, PhD, a psychologist at The Miriam Hospital's Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine.
Given the role of health behavior changes in reducing medical risks, these findings have important implications for maintaining the health of cancer survivors. The authors note, however, that even though survivors' beliefs about what caused their cancer may prompt healthy lifestyle changes, these beliefs may not be accurate.
"This research highlights the important role that survivors' beliefs about their disease have in their life post-cancer diagnosis. Ultimately, we hope that ca
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Contact: Megan Martin
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401-793-7484
Lifespan
10-Aug-2006