Pain is Associated with Tobacco Use, Non-Prescribed Medication Use, and Other Health Factors Among Cancer Survivors

Pain is common among cancer survivors; however, studies examining pain in relation to lifestyle factors (e.g., substance use) often exclude individuals with cancer. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to test associations between pain and health behaviors utilizing two national samples of cancer survivors. Data included N = 1,266 adults (84% White; 56% female; 45% aged 65+) from Wave 5 (2018-2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, and N = 4,130 adults (86% White; 58% female; M age = 68) from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) with lifetime cancer diagnosis. Weighted linear/logistic regression models were conducted covarying for relevant sociodemographic characteristics. PATH models indicated that past-week pain intensity (0-10) was associated with fatigue, physical inactivity, poorer physical/mental health, and lower quality of life/overall health (ps <.001). Pain was also associated with greater odds of tobacco and non-prescribed painkiller/sedative/tranquilizer use (ps <.001). NHIS models indicated that chronic pain (vs. no chronic pain) was associated with fatigue, difficulty falling/staying asleep, depression/anxiety, and poorer general health (ps <.001). Chronic pain was also associated with greater odds of physically inactivity, cigarette smoking (ps <.001) and electronic cigarette use (p =.042). Pain is associated with tobacco use, non-prescribed medication use, and other health behaviors among cancer survivors which may impact treatment efficacy and hamper efforts for behavior change. Implications include the need for tailored health and substance use intervention approaches that account for the role of pain among cancer survivors. Funding: T32CA193193.