Demographic and health-related characteristics associated with cancer survivorship in sexual and gender minority adults and cisgender heterosexual adults: A cross-sectional analysis of behavioral risk factor surveillance system 2021 data.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of being a cancer survivor among those aged 45-64 and 65-80 years, inclusive of sexual and gender minority (SGM) status, using a national population-based study dataset.

METHODS

We used the weighted data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor and Surveillance System (BRFSS). Descriptive statistics describe the study population characteristics. Logistic regression models were used as exploratory tools to examine patterns in participant characteristics, including SGM status, with cancer survivor status as the dependent variable, stratified by sex (male and females) and by two age groups (45-64 years, 65-80 years).

RESULTS

BRFSS data in 2021 comprised 87,780 females (12,260 female cancer survivors) and 71,594 males (8478 male cancer survivors). Across both age groups and sexes, cancer survivors more frequently reported poorer self-reported health, and higher number of multiple chronic conditions. Older age groups reported cancer survivorship more often. Patterns in the adjusted models indicated non-Hispanic Blacks and another race had lower odds of reporting cancer survivorship in sex-age strata. Among younger men, but not older men, current smoking and binge drinking showed lower adjusted odds of reporting cancer survivorship compared to non-SGM peers. Current BMI patterns varied across age and sex groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer survivorship differs across demographic and health-related characteristics, with notable variations by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. These descriptive patterns suggest a need for longitudinal and causally informed research to better understand pathways leading to survivorship disparities.