Cancer survivors’ experiences of a community-based cancer-specific exercise programme: results of an exploratory survey

• Published in: Supportive care in cancer Vol. 26; no. 9; pp. 3209 - 3216
• Main Authors: Catt, Susan, Sheward, J., Sheward, E., Harder, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.09.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Breast cancer; Cancer; Cancer Survivors - psychology; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - psychology; Female; Health Behavior; Humans; Intervention; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Motivation; Neoplasms - rehabilitation; Nursing; Nursing Research; Oncology; Original Article; Pain Medicine; Prostate cancer; Quality of Life - psychology; Quantitative analysis; Rehabilitation Medicine; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivor; Exercise; Physical activity; Survivorship; Health behaviour; Cancer; Quality of life
• ISSN: 0941-4355; 1433-7339
• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-018-4179-0

Purpose Exercise levels often decline following cancer diagnosis despite growing evidence of its benefits. Treatment side effects, older age, lack of confidence and opportunity to exercise with others in similar circumstances influence this. Our study explored the experiences of people attending a cancer-specific community-based exercise programme (CU Fitter™). Methods A survey distributed to those attending the programme gathered demographic/clinical information, self-reported exercise levels, information provision and barriers to/benefits of exercise. Results Sixty surveys were evaluable from 65/100 returned (62% female, 68% > 60 years, 66% breast/prostate cancer). Most (68%) were receiving treatment. Sixty-eight percent attended classes once or twice weekly. Fifty-five percent received exercise advice after diagnosis, usually from their hospital doctor/nurse. More (73%) had read about exercising, but less used the Internet to source information (32%). Self-reported exercise levels were higher currently than before diagnosis ( p  = 0.05). Forty-eight percent said their primary barrier to exercising was the physical impact of cancer/treatment. Improving fitness/health (40%) and social support (16%) were the most important gains from the programme. Many (67%) had made other lifestyle changes and intented to keep (50%) or increase (30%) exercising. Conclusions This community-based cancer-specific exercise approach engaged people with cancer and showed physical, psychological, and social benefits. Implications for cancer survivors Community-grown exercise initiatives bring cancer survivors together creating their own supportive environment. Combining this with instructors familiar with the population and providing an open-ended service may prove particularly motivating and beneficial. Further work is required to provide evidence for this.