The study evaluated the impact of demographic factors, self-reported modifiable lifestyle factors (such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and BMI), and cardiovascular risk factors (including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia) on health-related mortality. The study specifically focused on mortality related to late effects of cancer therapy, excluding primary cancer-related deaths and deaths from external causes. This first of a kind study highlights that many leading causes of death in long-term survivors are similar to those in the general population, however these often occur at a younger age than expected. The findings indicate adult survivors of childhood cancer face an increased risk of late mortality compared to the general population, even 40 years after their initial diagnosis. However, the study provides hope, as survivors who adopt modifiable lifestyle changes and manage cardiovascular risk factors have a reduced risk of death. Notably, those who maintain a healthy lifestyle and demonstrate the absence of hypertension and diabetes were each associated with a 20–30% reduction in health-related mortality independent of other factors.

The full text of this article is available at: 

Specific causes of excess late mortality and association with modifiable risk factors among survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort

Synopsized by:
Dr. Sripriya Venkiteswaran (Ph D. Nutritional Sciences)
Head of Content: Cuddles Institute of Clinical Nutrition

Source: Dixon SB, Liu Q, Chow EJ, Oeffinger KC, Nathan PC, Howell RM, Leisenring WM, Ehrhardt MJ, Ness KK, Krull KR, Mertens AC, Hudson MM, Robison LL, Yasui Y, Armstrong GT. Specific causes of excess late mortality and association with modifiable risk factors among survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort. Lancet. 2023 Apr 29;401(10386):1447-1457.