Barriers and facilitators for adopting a healthy lifestyle among Latina cancer survivors: A qualitative descriptive study

• Published in: Supportive care in cancer Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 2649 - 2659
• Main Authors: Dolan, Hanne R., Alvarez, Alexis A., Freylersythe, Sarah J., Penaloza, Irlena, Grijalva, Sofia, Taylor-Piliae, Ruth, Crane, Tracy E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.03.2022; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Cancer; Cancer Survivors; Chronic diseases; Disease susceptibility; Exercise; Health behavior; Healthy Lifestyle; Hispanic or Latino; Hispanic people; Humans; Lifestyles; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Nursing; Nursing Research; Oncology; Oncology, Experimental; Original Article; Pain Medicine; Qualitative Research; Rehabilitation Medicine; Survivor; Womens health; Cancer survivors; Diet; Health Belief Model; Physical activity; Latinas; Symptoms
• ISSN: 0941-4355; 1433-7339
• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06596-w

Purpose Cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanics/Latinos in the USA. Latina cancer survivors experience higher symptom burden than other cancer survivors. A healthy lifestyle can decrease recurrent cancer risk, increase well-being, and may decrease symptom burden in cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers and facilitators for adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors among Latina cancer survivors. Methods Using the Health Belief Model as the theoretical framework, qualitative descriptive methodology was used for secondary analysis of data from a previously conducted randomized clinical trial. Transcripts from the telephone health coaching calls, analyzed in the original language (English or Spanish), were used for this qualitative analysis. Results Intervention telephone call transcript data from Latina cancer survivors ( n  = 14) were analyzed. Major themes were as follows: Perceived susceptibility to other chronic illnesses, perceived benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and perceived barriers and facilitators of adopting a healthy lifestyle. Lack of knowledge about healthy lifestyle behaviors could prevent participants from adopting a healthy lifestyle; gaining new knowledge about healthy lifestyle behaviors was a facilitator for changing lifestyle. Family responsibility and wearable technology could both prevent and motivate the participants to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Conclusion Developing culturally appropriate interventions for Latina cancer survivors is vital to decrease symptom burden and health risks, as well as improve health outcomes in this population.