Health behaviors and well-being among those "living" with metastatic cancer in Alabama.

BACKGROUND Approximately 5 million Americans are living with metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer survivors (MCS) are at risk for poor health behaviors, which may negatively influence well-being. METHODS Using a modified Dillman protocol, 542 MCS were mailed a survey querying physical and mental health (PROMIS® measures), health behaviors, and supportive care interest. Returned surveys were double-key entered into REDCap®. Data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS Two hundred seventy-seven surveys were returned (51% response). Respondents (51% female; 88% Caucasian; 12% African-American; Mage = 65 years; Msurvivorship = 38 months; 23% female cancers, 23% melanoma, 21% gastrointestinal, 15% genitourinary, 12% pulmonary, and 6% other) reported low daily fruit and vegetable (FV 23% mental). MCS meeting PA (≥ 150 min per week) and dietary (≥ 5 daily servings of FV p = .056) and mental (p = .033, p = .549) health, respectively, compared to MCS who were not. While current supportive care use was low (12%), future interest was high (57%), with greatest interest for nutrition (46%), MCS support group (38%), and gardening (31%). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that engaging in regular PA and consuming more F&Vs may enhance physical and mental health among MCS. Future research may explore supportive care approaches with high interest, such as gardening, to aid MCS in improving key health behaviors.