Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University/Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
Cancer Med. 2021 Feb;10(3):1066-1073. doi: 10.1002/cam4.3698. Epub 2021 Feb 2.
Studies show that patients make lifestyle changes soon after certain solid tumor diagnoses, suggesting that this may be a teachable moment to motivate and promote healthy behaviors. There is a paucity of data regarding changes made after a diagnosis of a hematologic malignancy.
A cross-sectional study of 116 patients at a community oncology center who completed anonymous questionnaires was performed. Questions addressed lifestyle choices made with respect to smoking, alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, diet, and exercise habits before and after diagnosis of a hematologic malignancy. Support systems utilized, including psychiatry services, were also assessed.
Patients exhibited significant reduction in smoking behavior (Χ = 31.0, p < 0.001). 82.4% (n = 14) of one pack per day smokers quit between the time periods, with nearly all smokers showing a reduction after diagnosis. Alcohol use overall did not change significantly, however, 10.3% (n = 12) of patients reported quitting drinking completely between time periods. Changes in dietary intake and exercise were not statistically significant overall. Utilization of external support systems correlated with improved diet as well as decrease in total smoking years.
This study demonstrates that patients exhibited significant lifestyle changes after being diagnosed with a hematologic malignancy. Clinicians should take advantage of this 'teachable moment' to educate patients about positive health behavior changes. Advances in cancer therapeutics have led to an increase in cancer survivors, this education is crucial in reducing the risk of developing chronic comorbidities as well as secondary malignancies.
研究表明，患者在确诊某些实体瘤后会立即改变生活方式，这表明此时可能是一个教育契机，可以激励并促进健康行为。但是，有关血液恶性肿瘤诊断后生活方式改变的数据却很少。
对在社区肿瘤中心接受治疗的 116 名患者进行了横断面研究，这些患者完成了匿名问卷。问卷内容涉及患者在诊断为血液恶性肿瘤前后，关于吸烟、饮酒、娱乐性药物使用、饮食和运动习惯的生活方式选择。还评估了他们使用的支持系统，包括精神病服务。
患者的吸烟行为明显减少（Χ ²=31.0，p<0.001）。在两个时间段内，每天吸烟 1 包的患者中有 82.4%（n=14）戒烟，几乎所有吸烟者在诊断后都减少了吸烟量。总的来说，饮酒量没有明显变化，但是有 10.3%（n=12）的患者在两个时间段内完全戒酒。总的来说，饮食摄入和运动习惯的改变没有统计学意义。外部支持系统的利用与改善饮食以及减少总吸烟年数相关。
本研究表明，患者在被诊断为血液恶性肿瘤后表现出明显的生活方式改变。临床医生应该利用这个“教育契机”，教育患者积极改变健康行为。癌症治疗的进步导致癌症幸存者人数增加，这种教育对于降低发展慢性合并症和继发性恶性肿瘤的风险至关重要。
