Cancer Survivors in the United States: Age, Health, and Disability

Relatively little is known about the health and disability of adult cancer survivors. As a way to explore these issues, data from the National Health Interview Survey (years 1998-2000) were analyzed.

Comparisons were made between cancer survivors (n = 4878) and those without a history of cancer (n = 90,737), using both descriptive statistics and logistic-regression models on general health status, psychological disability, limitations in activities of daily living, physical function, and health-related ability to work. Among cancer survivors, health and disability status were assessed by cancer site or type, age at diagnosis, and years since cancer diagnosis.