HBTOP: Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of Childhood Cancer Survivors

Brief Summary

This study seeks to learn about health behaviors among youth ending active cancer therapy in order to promote healthy lifestyles and improve quality of life.

Nearly 70% of childhood cancer survivors do not adhere to lifestyle behaviors established by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Survivors are just as likely as their peers to engage in risky healthy behaviors, such as tobacco and alcohol use, which further raises their risk for health problems later in life.

Many existing interventions that encourage positive health behaviors target adults and long-term survivors. However, this may be too late. Problematic health outcomes arise soon after treatment ends, and the transition off active therapy may serve as an optimal time for patients to refocus their health and set the stage for a healthy survivorship.

Researchers in this study will examine behavioral patterns three to 18 months after treatment ends to gain a better understanding of health behaviors during this time.

Primary Objective

To estimate physical activity, dietary behaviors, sleep and substance use among youth transitioning off active therapy and compare data to Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines across each behavior

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion criteria include:

• 5 to 17 years old 
• Diagnosed with malignancy or CNS neoplasm 
• Identified by the St. Jude Transition Oncology Program as a patient transitioning off active cancer therapy

Exclusion criteria include:

• Primary caregiver does not speak or read English 
• End of active treatment at time of recruitment is greater than 12 months, 2 weeks

Study Sites

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memphis, Tennessee 

About this study

This is a study to learn more about health lifestyle behaviors in patients who have completed therapy for childhood cancer.

In this study, researchers will ask questions about your activities such as daily exercise, healthy diet and sleep. Researchers will also ask questions about you and your family, your community, and your health care. We will use this information to see if there are ways to encourage healthy behaviors of people coming off cancer treatment.

You may or may not benefit from taking part in this research study. However, you may learn some new tools for healthier lifestyle behaviors.

Purpose of this clinical trial

The main goal of this study is to encourage you to maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors and avoid risky behaviors after your cancer therapy is over.

Eligibility overview

This is a non-therapeutic research study open only to St. Jude patients and their caregivers. 

• 5 to 17 years old
• Diagnosed with malignancy or CNS neoplasm
• Identified by the St. Jude Transition Oncology Program as a patient transitioning off active cancer therapy