Associations Between Beliefs About Cancer and Alcohol Use Among Cancer Survivors: A US Representative Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND

U.S. health surveillance data suggests that alcohol consumption is similar among cancer survivors and those without a cancer history. However, comparisons of the correlates of alcohol consumption between cancer survivors and those without a cancer history are lacking.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to examine correlates of alcohol use, particularly cancer-related beliefs, and if correlates differed by cancer history.

METHODS

Merged data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5, cycles 2-4 and HINTS 6 were analyzed to estimate patterns of current drinking among US adults with and without a cancer history. Multivariable logistic regression models examined associations among cancer history, cancer-related beliefs, and drinking. Stratified models by cancer history were also examined.

RESULTS

Cancer history was not associated with current drinking in adjusted models (aOR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.82-1.15, p = 0.742). After adjusting for demographic, behavioral, socio-economic, and health factors, cancer-related beliefs were not associated with current drinking. Correlates of drinking differed between adults with and without a cancer history. For example, among those without a cancer history, Black compared to White adults had lower odds of current drinking (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67-0.96, p = 0.017); among cancer survivors, no association was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol use is similar among adults regardless of cancer history; yet the correlates of alcohol use differed by cancer history. A better understanding of the determinants of alcohol use among cancer survivors is needed to inform tailored alcohol reduction interventions.