Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Cancer survivors’ health behaviour patterns and the relationship with health status and healthcare utilisation (#369)

Katia E Ferrar 1 2 , Lisa Beatty 3 , Tony Daly 4 5 , Jennifer Baldock 4 5 , Rebecca Scupham 4 5 , Liz Buckley 1 , Huah Shin Ng 1 , Emma Kemp 1 , Bogda Koczwara 6 7 , Ryan Calabro 4 5
  1. College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University , Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
  2. University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  3. College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University , Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
  4. Behavioural Research and Evaluation Unit, Cancer Council SA, Eastwood, South Australia, Australia
  5. Flinders University , Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
  6. Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University , Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
  7. Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia

Aims To explore the relationship between health behaviour patterns and health status and healthcare utilisation of South Australian cancer survivors.

Methods Adult cancer survivor (n=669) data from the 2023 South Australian Population Health Survey were examined. TwoStep cluster analysis was conducted to identify clusters of health behaviours: meeting guidelines for 1) physical activity (≥ 150 minutes moderate to vigorous activity and walking/week), 2) alcohol consumption (< 10 drinks/week), 3) dietary intake (≥ 2 fruit and 5 vegetable serves/day) and 4) smoking status (yes/no). Relationships between cluster membership and sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported health status and healthcare utilisation (over 12 months) were examined using Chi-square and ANOVA analyses. 

Results Six clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (n=239/669; 36%) was characterised by all members meeting all but the diet guidelines; Cluster 2 (n=192; 29%)  was characterised by  meeting smoking and alcohol recommendation but no other guidelines; Cluster 3 (n=78; 12%) was characterised by meeting smoking and activity recommendations but no other guidelines; Cluster 4 (n=58; 9%) was characterised by the majority of members meeting alcohol and activity guidelines but no other guidelines; Cluster 5 (n=57; 9%) was characterised by non-smoking status and not meeting any other guidelines; Cluster 6 (n=45; 7%) was characterised by majority adherence across the health behaviours. Cluster 2 members were younger (p<0.001) and had lower education levels (p=0.02). Cluster 3 and 5 had more males (approx. 70%; p<0.001). Health status was highest in Cluster 3 and lowest in Cluster 2 (p=0.01).  Health service utilisation was highest in Cluster 4 (M = 26.5, SD=64.3 visits) and lowest in Cluster 3 (M=14.7, SD=13.1) (p=0.03).

Conclusion Distinct health behaviour clusters and profiles exist among South Australian cancer survivors. These findings may assist risk monitoring, health system planning and the development of multidimensional health behaviour interventions to improve outcomes for cancer survivors.