Association of Cancer Worry and Physical Activity Behaviors in Adults without Cancer
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2021.648Keywords:
Cancer Worry, Physical Activity, Cancer Prevention, Public HealthAbstract
Background: Cancer worry has been conceptualized as a potential motivator to engage in cancer preventative behaviors like cancer screening, genetic testing, or smoking cessation. It is currently unknown if these findings extend to the domain of physical activity, as physical activity has been associated with decreased cancer risk. Objective: To examine if the association between cancer worry and other health behaviors will extend to physical activity in a sample of adults not diagnosed with cancer. Methods: Data are drawn from the NCI's 2017 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) Iteration 5 Cycle 1 (N = 2,706) dataset, a nationally representative survey of adults in the United States. A KruskalWallis-H test was conducted to determine whether physical activity duration (i.e., daily minutes) differed between cancer worry levels with a post hoc Dunn's multiple comparison test to compare the differences between mean ranks. Results: A Kruskal-Wallis-H test showed statistically significant differences in PA duration (i.e., daily minutes) between groups that differed in their level of cancer worry. PA in minutes on a typical day was significantly lower in those who reported not at all, moderate, and extreme worry about developing cancer compared to those who reported slightly and somewhat worried. Conclusion: Contrary to our expectations, our results suggest that higher cancer worry levels are paradoxically associated with less PA. This study's results are significant in that they add to the breadth of literature linking cancer worry to health behaviors and may be used to inform future health promotion interventions.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Assignment of copyright
In order to publish in the American Journal of Health Studies, authors must assign the copyright to American Journal of Health Studies, CPHR Publishing (the Publisher) and distribution license and any tables, illustrations or other material submitted for publication as part of the manuscript (the “Article”).
This assignment of rights means that I have granted to the Copyright Owner the exclusive right to publish and reproduce the Article, or any part of the Article, in print, electronic and all other media (whether now known or later developed), in any form, in all languages, throughout the world, for the full term of copyright, and the right to license others to do the same, effective when the Article is accepted for publication. This includes the right to enforce the rights granted hereunder against third parties.
Regarding the final published portable document format (pdf) appearing online, authors may print it, share it with colleagues, and/or have it available for personal use and non-commercial research. However, due to copyright laws (copyright belonging to the publisher), authors may not use the pdf for profit, either directly or indirectly. Unauthorized use includes: (1) re-sale; (2) publication in other media (compilations, books, manuals, journals, and the like); (3) use for mass distribution by businesses, corporations or companies; (4) promotion of the funding for a study by any organization or group; (5) reproduction and distribution; (6) selling or licensing copies; or (7) posting on third-party websites such as Research Gate, a university repository website, personal website, or organizational website. Thus, the pdf only may be used by authors for personal and professional use, and NOT for mass distribution. Permissions for such use may be authorized under some circumstances by the publisher (American Journal of Health Studies, CPHR Publishing) if requested in writing, and may incur fee(s) to be determined solely by the publisher. One example of educational use is to place on library reserve as a reading for an online class, which upon the end of the class must be removed immediately.
Publisher reserves the right to grant or refuse permission to third parties to republish all or part of the article or translations thereof. To republish, such third parties must obtain written permission from the Publisher. (This is in accordance with the Copyright Statute, United States Code, Title 17. Exception: If all authors were bona fide officers or employees of the U.S. Government at the time the paper was prepared, the work is a “work of the US Government” (prepared by an officer or employee of the US Government as part of official duties), and therefore is not subject to US copyright; such exception should be indicated on signature lines. If this work was prepared under US Government contract or grant, the US Government may reproduce, royalty-free, all or portions of this work and may authorize others to do so, for official US Government purposes only, if the US Government contract or grant so requires.
I have participated in the conception and design of this work and in the writing of the manuscript and take public responsibility for it. Neither this manuscript nor one with substantially similar content under my authorship has been published, has been submitted for publication elsewhere, or will be submitted for publication elsewhere while under consideration by The Heart Surgery Forum, except as described in an attachment. I have reviewed this manuscript (original version) and approve its submission. If I am listed above as corresponding author, I will provide all authors with information regarding this manuscript and will obtain their approval before submitting any revision. I attest to the validity, accuracy, and legitimacy of the content of the manuscript and understand that Publisher assumes no responsibility for the validity, accuracy, and legitimacy of its content. I warrant that this manuscript is original with me and that I have full power to make this Agreement. I warrant that it contains no matter that is libelous or otherwise unlawful or that invades individual privacy or infringes any copyright or other proprietary right. I agree to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless of and from any claim made against Publisher that relates to or arises out of the publication of the manuscript and agree that this indemnification shall include payment of all costs and expenses relating to the defense of any such claim, including all reasonable attorney’s fees.
