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In 2018, 34.0% of cancer survivors aged 18 years and older reported no physical activity in their leisure time.
Introduction
As the number of cancer survivors grows and expected survival time increases, the health behaviors of these individuals are becoming an important focus of attention. Adoption or maintenance of healthy lifestyles after cancer has the potential to reduce both cancer- and non-cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Tracking these behaviors permits evaluation of how well cancer control efforts are working to reduce unnecessary disability and death among those with a history of cancer.
To enhance the length and health-related quality of life of cancer survivors, efforts are needed to encourage adequate physical activity. Physical activity may improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast, colon, and endometrium (lining of the uterus). Being active may also help to prevent weight gain and obesity, reducing the risk of developing cancers that have been linked to excess body weight. In addition to cancer risk, physical activity may also lower a person’s risk of other health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis (bone thinning).
Measure
The percentage of cancer survivors reporting no physical activity are based on the self-reporting of individuals with a cancer history who are interviewed as part of the annual population-based National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Participants were asked how often they perform light, moderate, or vigorous activity for at least 10 minutes.
Healthy People 2020 Target
- There is no Healthy People 2020 target for physical activity among cancer survivors, though it does include a national objective to increase the mental and physical health-related quality of life of cancer survivors. However, it is reasonable to set this at the goal determined for the general population, which is to reduce the proportion of adults who engage in no leisure time physical activity to 32.6 percent.
Healthy People 2020 is a set of goals set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Note: Goals are indicated as blue line on Detailed Trend Graphs.
Data Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey, 1997–2018.
Trends and Most Recent Estimates
No Leisure Time Physical Activity
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of cancer survivors | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Both Sexes
|
34.0 | 31.7 - 36.4 |
Male
|
32.6 | 29.0 - 36.4 | |
Female
|
34.9 | 32.0 - 37.9 | |
By Age
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of cancer survivors | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Ages 18-44
|
24.7 | 17.7 - 33.3 |
Ages 45-64
|
26.5 | 22.8 - 30.6 | |
Ages 65 and older
|
40.0 | 37.1 - 42.9 | |
By Time Since Cancer Diagnosis
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of cancer survivors | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
5 years or less since diagnosis
|
33.2 | 29.3 - 37.3 |
6+ years since diagnosis
|
32.7 | 29.8 - 35.7 | |
Compared to Remaining U.S. Population
| Overview graph | Age Group | Cancer Survivor | Remaining U.S. Population | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of population | Confidence Interval | Percent of population | Confidence Interval | ||
|
Ages 18-44 | 24.4 | 20.7 - 28.6 | 22.7 | 22.0 - 23.5 |
| Ages 45-64 | 30.0 | 28.2 - 31.8 | 29.2 | 28.4 - 30.0 | |
| Ages 65 and older | 41.1 | 39.6 - 42.6 | 39.6 | 38.7 - 40.6 | |
Meet Federal Guidelines
By Sex
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of cancer survivors | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Both Sexes
|
15.7 | 14.0 - 17.5 |
Male
|
16.7 | 13.8 - 19.9 | |
Female
|
14.8 | 12.7 - 17.1 | |
By Age
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of cancer survivors | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
Ages 18-44
|
22.3 | 16.1 - 30.0 |
Ages 45-64
|
18.1 | 14.9 - 21.9 | |
Ages 65 and older
|
13.2 | 11.4 - 15.3 | |
By Time Since Cancer Diagnosis
| Overview Graph | Detailed Trend Graphs | Most Recent Estimates (2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of cancer survivors | 95% Confidence Interval | ||
|
5 years or less since diagnosis
|
18.4 | 15.4 - 21.9 |
6+ years since diagnosis
|
14.6 | 12.6 - 16.9 | |
Compared to Remaining U.S. Population
| Overview graph | Age Group | Cancer Survivor | Remaining U.S. Population | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent of population | Confidence Interval | Percent of population | Confidence Interval | ||
|
Ages 18-44 | 22.3 | 18.7 - 26.4 | 27.8 | 27.3 - 28.4 |
| Ages 45-64 | 18.7 | 17.2 - 20.4 | 18.9 | 18.3 - 19.4 | |
| Ages 65 and older | 12.5 | 11.6 - 13.4 | 12.7 | 12.2 - 13.2 | |
Evidence-based Resources
Resources are available to assist cancer control planners, program staff, and researchers to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based survivorship programs. Visit Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T.- survivorship for data on cancer incidence, research syntheses, cancer control plans, research-tested interventions, interactive communities of practice, and other resources.
Additional Information on Cancer Survivors and Physical Activity
For the public
- Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment. National Cancer Institute.
- Health and Well-Being After Cancer. National Cancer Institute.
- Physical Activity and Cancer. National Cancer Institute.
- ACS Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention. American Cancer Society.
- Coping With Cancer. American Cancer Society.
- Survivorship: During and After Treatment. American Cancer Society.
- Living Beyond Cancer. National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.
- Be Active. Springboard Beyond Cancer.
For Healthcare Professionals
- Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable. Campbell KL, Winters-Stone KM, Wiskemann J, et al. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019 Nov;51(11):2375-2390.
Scientific reports
- Pre- to postdiagnosis leisure-time physical activity and prognosis in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. Jung AY, Behrens S, Schmidt M, et al. Breast Cancer Res. 2019 Nov 7;21(1):117.
- The dose-response effect of physical activity on cancer mortality: findings from 71 prospective cohort studies. Li T, Wei S, Shi Y, et al. Br J Sports Med. 2016 Mar;50(6):339-45. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-094927. Review.
- Posttreatment trajectories of physical activity in breast cancer survivors. Lucas AR, Levine BJ, Avis NE. Cancer. 2017 Jul 15;123(14):2773-2780.
- The effectiveness of exercise interventions for improving health-related quality of life from diagnosis through active cancer treatment. Mishra SI, Scherer RW, Snyder C, et al. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2015 Jan;42(1):E33-53. doi: 10.1188/15.ONF.E33-E53. Review.
- Results of the Exercise and Nutrition to Enhance Recovery and Good Health for You (ENERGY) Trial: A Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention in Overweight or Obese Breast Cancer Survivors. Rock CL, Flatt SW, Byers TE, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2015 Oct 1;33(28):3169-76.
- Exercise is medicine in oncology: Engaging clinicians to help patients move through cancer. Schmitz KH, Campbell AM, Stuiver MM, et al. CA Cancer J Clin. 2019 Nov;69(6):468-484.
- Postdiagnosis sedentary behavior and health outcomes in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Swain CTV, Nguyen NH, Eagles T, et al. Cancer. 2019 Nov 12.
- Interventions for promoting habitual exercise in people living with and beyond cancer. Turner RR, Steed L, Quirk H, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Sep 19;9:CD010192.
- The Role of Physical Activity in Managing Fatigue in Cancer Survivors. Serdà I Ferrer BC, van Roekel E, Lynch BM. Curr Nutr Rep. 2018 Sep;7(3):59-69.