Physical activity preferences of ovarian cancer survivors

Abstract

Objective: Regular physical activity is positively associated with quality of life in ovarian cancer survivors, but no data exist on how best to promote activity in this population. This study investigated the interests and preferences of ovarian cancer survivors with regard to physical activity participation.Methods: A provincial, population-based postal survey of ovarian cancer survivors in Alberta, Canada, was performed including measures of self-reported physical activity, medical and demographic variables, and physical activity preferences.Results: A total of 359 women participated (51.4% response rate). Over half expressed interest in participating in a physical activity program (53.8%), with a further 32.9% maybe interested. The most common preferences were for programs to be home-based (48.9%), start post-treatment (69.5%), and involve walking (62.7%). There were differences in preferences based on demographic, but not medical, factors.Conclusion: The majority of ovarian cancer survivors expressed interest in participating in physical activity programs; however, some preferences varied by demographic factors. Designing physical activity interventions according to these preferences may optimize adherence and outcomes in ovarian cancer survivors.

Exercise in Clinical Cancer Care: A Call to Action and Program Development Description

“…Encouraging home-based exercise is an effective and economic alternative to facility-based training, significantly reducing the requirements and costs for exercise staffing, facility, and equipment 62 . Moreover, the convenience of exercise has been the root of preference on the part of many cancer survivors for homebased exercise 34,35,[41][42][43] . Because concerns about patient adherence to home-based exercise prescription in the absence of direct supervision are valid, the sep has implemented adherence-boosting strategies that are further discussed later in this article.…”

“…Finally, educational seminars on physical activity for cancer survivors are offered on a monthly basis to improve the understanding of the benefits of an active lifestyle. The foregoing program components accommodate the identified preferences of cancer survivors for access to a multifaceted approach to exercise, including flexibility in structure, social support, print educational material, home-based exercise equipment and instruction, and routine follow-up from the cancer exercise specialists 28,29,31,32,34,37,[40][41][42][43][44]82 .…”

Value orientation of children with oncological diseases in relation to quality of life

“…Ve struktuře péče o nemocné dítě s vážným dlouhodobým onemocněním má vedle účinné léčby klíčové místo formování, rozvíjení a podpora celkové pohody (Huberty, Vener, Waltman, Ott, Twiss, Gross, McGuire & Dwyer, 2009;Stevinson, Capstick, Schepansky, Tonkin, Vallance, Ladha, Steed, Faught & Courneya, 2009) • dimenzi fyzickou,…”

Physical Activity and Cancer

“…This was highlighted in a study by Courneya et al (2003b) who found that when participants in their study were given a choice of activity, over 95% chose walking. This preference may be dependent on participants' current level of fitness and engagement with physical activity, since Stevinson et al (2009b) found that preference for walking in ovarian cancer survivors was greatest for those survivors who were not currently meeting physical activity guidelines. Nevertheless, walking has been recognised as an achievable form of activity for most cancer survivors regardless of fitness levels or income (which may affect the resources a person has access to).…”

“…Some individuals show a strong preference for exercising with other cancer patients, who are of similar fitness levels and understand each other's experiences (Adamsen et al, 2001;Blaney et al, 2010;Turner et al, 2004), while others find no such preference (Karvinen et al, 2006;Stevinson et al, 2009b). Some cancer survivors may also have a preference for exercising individually due to certain side effects of treatment-for example, incontinence amongst prostate and colorectal cancer survivors is likely to result in a strong preference to exercise alone and at home (Blaney et al, 2010).…”