Factors affecting the health-promoting behavior of thyroid cancer survivors: comparison by stage of cancer survivorship

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in factors affecting health-promoting behaviors according to the survival stage of thyroid cancer survivors.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study analyzed data from 354 thyroid cancer survivors after diagnosis. The survivors were divided into three stages: (1) the acute stage (< 2 years after diagnosis), (2) extended stage (2-5 years after diagnosis), and (3) permanent stage (≥ 5 years after diagnosis). To measure health-promoting behavior, the revised Korean version of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile questionnaires was used. The factors affecting the health-promoting behavior included social support, self-efficacy, fear of recurrence, and symptoms. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze factors affecting the health-promoting behavior according to survival stage.

Result: The factors affecting the health-promoting behavior of thyroid cancer survivors differed by survival stage. In the acute stage, the factors of health-promoting behavior were self-efficacy (t = 4.76, p < .001) and social support (t = 3.54, p < .001). In the extended stage, symptoms (t = - 3.65, p < .001), social support (t = 2.61, p = .011), fear of recurrence (t = 2.18, p = .032), and receipt of radioiodine treatment (t = - 2.18, p = .032) were found to be significant variables that affected health-promoting behaviors. In the permanent stage, social support (t = 2.79, p = .007), receipt of radioiodine treatment (t = - 3.21, p = .002), and age (t = - 2.77, p = .007) were significant variables that affected health-promoting behaviors.

Conclusion: The experience of thyroid cancer survivors varies as they progress through the survival stages; thus, health-promotion interventions should be tailored to each survival stage.