Poor physical function, relationship problems and alcohol use are predictors of increased overall mortality in Swedish cancer patients: 27-years follow-up study in Stockholm County

•Poor physical function is a predictor of increased mortality among individuals with diagnosis of cancer.•In men alcohol use and relationship problem were associated with increased risk of dying in cancer per se.•For cardiovascular death, there was an increased mortality in men with bad physical health and in women with decreased physical function.•Psychological complaints in both sexes were related to increased risk of death due to other medical conditions. To study the mortality rates among cancer patients and whether these differences are associated with history of poor physical health and socio-economic situation. The relation between overall mortality and 30 questions of life-style and health was investigated in all subjects (n = 3197) who received a diagnosis of cancer (ICD-7 140-209) between 1969 and 1996 from the Rebus-cohort created in 1969 (n = 32186). The overall mortality was increased in both men and women who received a cancer diagnose if they had reported problems with physical function at the beginning of the study. Men who received a cancer diagnose also had higher mortality due to cancer if they had relationship problems (HR = 1.23, 1.02–1.48), and alcohol use problem (HR = 1.35, 1.04–1.74) at baseline. Women who received cancer also had higher risk to die in cardiovascular diseases if they had reported physical function problem (HR = 1.97, 1.25–3.12) at the beginning of the study. Poor physical function is a predictor of increased mortality among subjects with diagnosis of cancer.