Physical activity and mental distress among Veteran cancer survivors with heart disease and diabetes

Introduction: Mental distress frequently develops in sufferers of chronic diseases, including cancer. We examined the association between physical activity and mental distress among Veteran cancer survivors with heart disease or diabetes. Methods: Data for American military Veteran cancer survivors (n = 16,643) were retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Ordinary least squares (OLS) multiple linear regression was used to explore the effect of physical activity on self-reported mental distress among Veteran cancer survivors with coronary heart disease or diabetes. Geographic information system (GIS) software was used to examine the state-level distribution of mental distress among Veteran cancer survivors. Results: Geographic analysis showed that mental distress (in days) in the last month among Veteran cancer survivors was highest in Alabama (M = 3.99), while those in Wyoming reported the lowest number of days (M = 0.76). After controlling for relevant confounding factors, physical activity was associated with fewer days of mental distress days among Veteran cancer survivors with coronary heart disease. Discussion: Results of this study suggest that physical activity may be beneficial in reducing mental distress among Veteran cancer survivors with heart disease.