Social Support, Nutrition Intake, and Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors

Objectives: To examine depressive symptoms, hope, social support, and quality of life in relation to fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and physical activity (PA) among cancer survivors diagnosed within the past 4 years. Methods: In 2010, participants were recruited from a southeastern US cancer center and completed a mail-based survey (response rate 22.7%) assessing these psychosocial factors, FV intake, and PA. Results: Among 128 participants, 72% consumed >= 5 FV/day; 77.8% walked for exercise >= 4 times/week. Controlling for sociodemographics, consuming >= 5 FV/day was associated with greater significant other social support (p = .004); walking for exercise = 4 times/week was associated with greater friend support (p = .003). Conclusions: These findings can inform tertiary cancer prevention interventions.