Abstract 739: Alcohol consumption patterns among US cancer survivors: A cross-sectional study of the All of Us Research Program
Authors: Shi Mengyao , Luo Chongliang , Oduyale Ouseye K. , Zong Xiaoyu , LoConte Noelle , Colditz Graham A. , Cao Yin 
Published: April 2023

Objective: Alcohol consumption is associated with adverse health outcomes among individuals diagnosed with cancer, including oncologic (e.g. higher risks of recurrence, onset of new primary cancers, and death) and treatment outcomes (e.g. decreased effectiveness, increased risk of complications). Epidemiologic studies to comprehensively characterize alcohol consumption patterns among cancer survivors overall and during cancer treatment in the US are limited.

Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 15,199 participants who reported a cancer diagnosis from the All of Us Research Program, a diverse US cohort with electronic health record (EHR) linkage. We estimated the prevalence of alcohol consumption status and risky drinking behaviors, including exceeding moderate drinking (&gt;2 drinks on a typical day when they drink), binge drinking (≥6 drinks on one occasion), and hazardous drinking (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption [AUDIT-C] score ≥4 for men and ≥3 for women). Among a subset with EHR, we identified cancer survivors (n=1332) who underwent treatment within the past year of the baseline survey and characterized their alcohol consumption patterns.

Results: Overall, 78% of cancer survivors self-reported as current drinkers (non-Hispanic White: 81%; non-Hispanic Black: 66%; Hispanic: 63%). After multivariable adjustment, survivors who were non-Hispanic White, with alcohol-related cancers, and ever smokers were more likely to be current drinkers. Among current drinkers, 13% exceeded moderate drinking, 24% reported binge drinking, and 39% engaged in hazardous drinking. Survivors who were younger, men, Hispanics, with cancer diagnosed before age 18, or ever smoked were more likely to engage in at least two risky drinking behaviors. Compared to non-Hispanic White, Hispanic survivors were more likely to exceed moderate drinking (21%; OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.04-1.64) and binge drink (37%; OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09-1.59). Compared to survivors with cancer diagnosed age 65 and above, those diagnosed before age 18 were more likely to exceed moderate drinking (26%; OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.03-2.21), binge drink (47%; OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.24-2.36), and engage in hazardous drinking (48%; OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.11-2.08). Notably, among survivors receiving treatment, the prevalence of current drinking and risk drinking were both high and in parallel with those not on treatment. Specifically, 78% were current drinkers, and among these, 11% exceeded moderate drinking, 22% reported binge drinking, and 40% engaged in hazardous drinking.

Conclusion: Alcohol consumption and risky drinking behaviors were common among cancer survivors even among individuals receiving treatment. Among cancer survivors who were current drinkers, men, Hispanics, those with cancer diagnosed before age 18, and ever smokers were more likely to engage in risky drinking behaviors.

Citation Format: Mengyao Shi, Chongliang Luo, Ouseye K. Oduyale, Xiaoyu Zong, Noelle LoConte, Graham A. Colditz, Yin Cao. Alcohol consumption patterns among US cancer survivors: A cross-sectional study of the All of Us Research Program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 739.