Korean J Health Promot.  2025 Mar;25(1):20-28. 10.15384/kjhp.2025.00010.

Health-Related Behaviors of Middle-Aged Cancer Survivors: A Comparative Study with Matched Non-Cancer Controls Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI–VII (2013–2018) Data

• KIM ML
• JEONG JR
• CHOE YR

• KMID: 2566301
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2025.00010

Abstract

Background
Middle-aged cancer survivors lack specific health guidelines compared to young and old cancer survivors. Their increased prevalence necessitates the establishment of tailored health guidelines. This study aimed to investigate the health-related behaviors of middle-aged cancer survivors compared to those of the general population.
Methods
This cross-sectional study analyzed 17,332 adults aged 40–65 years who participated in the sixth and seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2018). Data on cancer screening, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, sedentary time, and dietary management were collected via self-reported questionnaires. Propensity score matching (1:5) revealed 591 middle-aged cancer survivors and 2,955 non-cancer controls. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analyses were conducted to compare the demographic characteristics and health-related behaviors of both groups.
Results
Multivariate analysis revealed that middle-aged cancer survivors were significantly less likely to consume alcohol (odds ratio [OR]: 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51–0.81) and smoke (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.43–0.99) and more likely to engage in aerobic physical activity (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.08–1.64) and practice dietary management (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.17–1.84) than the non-cancer controls. However, no significant differences in cancer screening adherence and sedentary time were observed between both groups.
Conclusions
Overall, this study provides fundamental data for the development of tailored health guidelines and patient education programs for cancer survivors.

Keyword

Cancer survivors; Middle aged; Health behavior; Propensity score