Feature Article

Health Promotion Among Older Cancer Survivors With Prior Disabling Conditions

Heather Becker, PhD; Sook Jung Kang, PhD, RN

  • Journal of Gerontological Nursing
  • July 2012 - Volume 38 · Issue 7: 38-43
  • DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20120608-02
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Abstract

Older cancer survivors, who often cope with multiple disabling conditions, can find health promotion challenging. This study’s purpose was to explore predictors of health promotion for older cancer survivors with a disabling condition that existed prior to their cancer diagnosis. The 92 cancer survivors were predominantly women with preexisting neuromuscular impairments and an average age of 69. Half were breast cancer survivors, and 58% were 6 or more years since their cancer diagnosis. In hierarchical regression analyses, self-efficacy for health promotion and social support were the strongest predictors of total scores on the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II and its subscales. The findings suggest that nursing interventions to assist older cancer survivors with multiple chronic conditions in building their social support and perceived self-efficacy may help them lead healthier lives.

AUTHORS

Dr. Becker is Research Scientist, and Dr. Kang is Teaching Assistant and Graduate Research Assistant, School of Nursing, University of Texas, Austin, Texas.

The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise. This study was supported by grant R21CA133381 from the National Cancer Institute. The authors express their appreciation to Dean Alexa Stuifbergen, Dr. Debbie Volker, Dr. John Bellquist, and Ms. Vicki Kullberg for their assistance with this study.

Address correspondence to Heather Becker, PhD, University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, 1700 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701-1499; e-mail: heatherbecker@mail.utexas.edu.

Received: November 17, 2011
Accepted: March 02, 2012
Posted Online: June 15, 2012

doi: 10.3928/00989134-20120608-02

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