Table 2.
Comparison of behavior changes (smoking, PA and alcohol moderation) and perceptions of these behaviors between immigrant and nonimmigrant cancer survivors
| Variable | Subgroup | Total patients, n = 784 (%) | Immigrant patients (not born in Canada), n = 309 (%) | Nonimmigrant patients (born in Canada), n = 475 (%) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking | |||||
| Baseline smoking status | Current smoker | 16% | 14% | 18% | 0.08 |
| Ex‐smoker | 31% | 29% | 33% | ||
| Never smoker | 52% | 57% | 49% | ||
| Change in smoking status after diagnosis | Continued | 51% | 39% | 57% | 0.084 |
| Quit | 49% | 61% | 43% | ||
| Perception of smoking on quality of life | Worsens outcome | 79% | 73% | 82% | 0.008 |
| Perception of smoking on overall survival | Worsens outcome | 75% | 68% | 79% | 0.002 |
| Perception of smoking on fatigue | Worsens outcome | 72% | 69% | 74% | 0.12 |
| Physical activity | |||||
| Baseline PA levels | Meeting MVPA Guidelines | 31% | 26% | 34% | 0.02 |
| Change in PA levels among those inactive at baseline | Improved to meeting at MVPA guidelines | 12% | 13% | 11% | 0.44 |
| Change in PA levels among those active at baseline | Continued to meet MVPA guidelines | 49% | 45% | 50% | 0.53 |
| Perception of PA on quality of Life | Improves outcome | 91% | 88% | 92% | 0.06 |
| Perception of PA on overall survival | Improves outcome | 89% | 84% | 91% | 0.006 |
| Perception of PA on fatigue | Improves outcome | 77% | 70% | 82% | 0.001 |
| Alcohol | |||||
| Alcohol use status at diagnosis | Current drinker | 59% | 47% | 66% | <0.001 |
| Ex‐drinker | 17% | 17% | 16% | ||
| Never drinker | 25% | 36% | 18% | ||
| Change in alcohol use for Current Drinkers at diagnosis | Quit/Cut down | 52% | 50% | 53% | 0.66 |
| Increased/Continued | 48% | 50% | 47% | ||
| Change in alcohol use for Ex‐Drinkers at diagnosis | Restarted | 21% | 21% | 20% | 1 |
| Remained abstinent | 79% | 79% | 80% | ||
| Perception of alcohol on quality of life | Worsens outcome | 38% | 42% | 35% | 0.07 |
| Perception of alcohol on overall survival | Worsens outcome | 38% | 41% | 36% | 0.25 |
| Perception of alcohol on fatigue | Worsens outcome | 45% | 47% | 44% | 0.42 |
P values represent comparisons between immigrant and nonimmigrant cancer survivors. *Change in smoking status was assessed only for current smokers; no ex‐smokers restarted and no never smokers started smoking after diagnosis.