Factors associated with long COVID among cancer survivors: A population-based analysis

Cancer survivors endure unique immune system suppression as a result of their cancer treatment, potentially making them susceptible to long COVID in ways that differ from the general population. The purpose of this study is to assess what factors are associated with long COVID among cancer survivors.

Observational, cross-sectional data from the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey were analyzed. The main outcome of interest was the prevalence of long COVID among cancer survivors who had tested positive for COVID-19. Bivariate analyses were conducted comparing those who did and did not have long COVID, and logistic regression models were used to determine the sociodemographic variables and individual health factors associated with long COVID among cancer survivors.

In this sample, 15.2 % of cancer survivors who had tested positive for COVID-19 indicated they had long COVID. Cancer survivors who were male, older, received flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, and did not have diabetes or asthma had significantly lower odds of having long COVID.

This study provides insight into what sociodemographic and health-related factors are associated with the presence of long COVID, including age, sex, vaccination status, and comorbid conditions. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to establish causal patterns.