Health behaviors of cancer survivors of different sexual orientations

Objective: This study identifies differences by sexual orientation in health behaviors of cancer survivors. Methods: We pooled data from the 2001, 2003, and 2005 California health interview survey to compare cancer survivors' alcohol use, smoking, exercise, fruit and vegetable consumption, weight, and physician visits by sexual orientation. Results: Female bisexual cancer survivors were 2.2 times more likely to report being a current smoker and were 0.39 times less likely to report physical inactivity compared with female heterosexual cancer survivors. Lesbian cancer survivors were 7.4 times more likely to have visited a physician during the past year than female heterosexual cancer survivors. Among male cancer survivors, both gay and bisexual men had significantly lower odds (OR = 0.4) of being overweight or obese, and bisexual men were 3.0 times more likely to engage in vigorous activity and 7.8 times more likely to visit physicians compared with heterosexual men. Conclusions: This study's prevalence estimates of behavioral risk factors of gay, lesbian, and bisexual cancer survivors suggest considerable need for promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors. We discuss the need for future studies with lesbian, gay, and bisexual cancer survivors.