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Associations of leisure-time physical activity with quality of life in a large, population-based sample of colorectal cancer survivors

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Abstract

Objective

To examine the associations between physical activity and quality of life for colorectal cancer survivors; and to describe the associations of medical and sociodemographic attributes with overall quality of life, and their moderating effects on the relationships between physical activity and quality of life.

Methods

Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,996 colorectal cancer survivors recruited through the Queensland Cancer Registry. Data were collected on current quality of life; leisure-time physical activity pre- and post-diagnosis; cancer treatment and side-effects; and general sociodemographic attributes. Hierarchical generalized linear models identified variables significantly associated with quality of life.

Results

After controlling for sociodemographic variables, disease-specific variables, treatment side-effects, and pre-diagnosis leisure-time physical activity, there were significant differences in quality of life scores by post-diagnosis physical activity category. Compared to participants who were inactive after their diagnosis, those who were sufficiently active had a 17.0% higher total quality of life score. Physical activity also had a significant independent positive association with the physical well-being, functional well-being, and additional concerns subscales of the FACT-C.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that quite modest changes in leisure-time physical activity are associated with quality of life. Colorectal cancer survivors may benefit from a more active lifestyle.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by The Cancer Council Queensland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Viertel Centre for Research in Cancer Control, The Cancer Council Queensland, P.O. Box 201, Spring Hill, Brisbane, 4004, Australia

    Brigid M. Lynch & Joanne F. Aitken

  2. Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Ester Cerin

  3. Cancer Prevention Research Centre, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Neville Owen & Joanne F. Aitken

Authors
  1. Brigid M. Lynch
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  2. Ester Cerin
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  3. Neville Owen
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  4. Joanne F. Aitken
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Correspondence to Brigid M. Lynch.

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Lynch, B.M., Cerin, E., Owen, N. et al. Associations of leisure-time physical activity with quality of life in a large, population-based sample of colorectal cancer survivors. Cancer Causes Control 18, 735–742 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9016-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-007-9016-6

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