A national study of alcohol consumption patterns among population-based U.S. cancer survivors compared with cancer-free individuals. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lyu, Junrui; Kaur, Maneet; Dibble, Kate E.; Connor, Avonne E.
• Is Part Of: Cancer epidemiology. Volume 77(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Cancer survivorship -- Lifestyle factors -- Alcohol -- Binge drinking; Cancer -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Carcinogenesis -- Periodicals; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2022.102101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1877-7821

Abstract

Abstract: Background: This study characterized alcohol consumption behaviors among adult cancer survivors and determined how these behaviors compared with cancer-free individuals using NHANES data (1999–2016). Methods: Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multinomial logistic regression for the association between cancer survivors vs cancer-free individuals and odds of drinking status (former/current/never drinkers), accounting for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Among current drinkers, multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the aORs for binge drinking and exceeding moderate drinking. Results: A total of 3113 survivors and 39, 527 cancer-free individuals were included. Cancer survivors were less likely to be current drinkers (63.4% vs. 72.6% in cancer-free) and were more likely to be former drinkers (24.4% vs. 15.5% in cancer-free). Cancer survivors had significant lower odds of being current vs. never drinkers (aOR, 0.84, 95% CI: 0.71–0.99). By cancer types, cervical cancer survivors were more likely to be binge drinkers (aOR, 2.51, 95% CI: 1.27–4.92), particularly among women aged ≥ 55 years (aOR, 6.90, 95% CI: 1.28–37.3). Conclusion: Given the high odds of binge drinking among cervical cancer survivors, public health strategies are needed to reduce alcohol consumption in this group. Highlights: Majority of the cancer survivors were current drinkers. Survivors were less likely to be current drinkers than the cancer-free population. Alcohol consumption patterns differed by cancer types. Cervical cancer survivors were more likely to engage in binge drinking.