Adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research recommendations for cancer prevention in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors: results from the SURVAYA study

Purpose For adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors with a good prognosis, having a healthy lifestyle prevents morbidity and mortality after treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of (un)healthy lifestyle behaviors and related determinants in AYA cancer survivors. Methods A population-based, cross-sectional study was performed among long-term (5–20 years) AYA cancer survivors (18–39 years old at diagnosis) registered within the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Self-reported questionnaires data about health behaviors were used to calculate the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) adherence score. Associations between the score and clinical/sociodemographic determinants of (un)healthy behaviors were investigated using logistic regression models. Results The mean WCRF/AICR score was low to moderate, 3.8 ± 1.2 (0.5–7.0) ( n = 3668). Sixty-one percent adhered to “limit the consumption of sugar sweetened drinks,” 28% to “be a healthy weight,” 25% to “fruit and vegetable consumption,” and 31% to “limit alcohol consumption.” Moderate and high adherence were associated with being a woman (OR moderate = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.14–1.85, and OR high = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.46–2.4) and highly educated (OR moderate = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.30–1.83, and OR high = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.46–2.4). Low adherence was associated with smoking (OR moderate = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.50–0.92, and OR high = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.21–0.44) and diagnosis of germ cell tumor (OR moderate = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.39–0.86, and OR high = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.30–0.69). Conclusions Adherence to the 2018 WCRF/AICR lifestyle recommendations was low to moderate, especially regarding body weight, fruit, vegetables, and alcohol consumption. Men, current smokers, lower-educated participants, and/or those diagnosed with germ cell tumors were less likely to have a healthy lifestyle. Implications for Cancer Survivors Health-promotion programs (e.g., age-specific tools) are needed, focusing on high-risk groups.