Study protocol for a nationwide questionnaire survey of physical activity among breast cancer survivors in Japan

Abstract

IntroductionA major concern is that few cancer survivors meet the guidelines for recommended levels of physical activity. No studies have investigated physical activity among breast cancer survivors nationwide in Japan. Therefore, the aims of this study are to identify the levels of physical activity among breast cancer survivors, to examine factors-related physical activity among breast cancer survivors and to identify breast cancer survivors’ preferences for and interest in exercise programmes in order to inform the future programme development.Methods and analysisWe will administer a cross-sectional survey using a self-report questionnaire to breast cancer survivors. At each of 50 facilities selected to include a variety of institutional backgrounds according to the population distribution of different regions throughout Japan, we will consecutively distribute the questionnaire to 30 outpatients who have completed initial treatments, except for hormone therapy. The target sample size is 1500 survivors. We will calculate descriptive statistics for each measurement item and perform univariate and multivariate analyses using outcome measures (eg, physical activity and quality of life) related to physical, psychological, social and environmental factors.DiscussionThis is the first nationwide survey of physical activity levels among breast cancer survivors in Japan. Identifying the factors associated with physical activity will help us to develop, disseminate and implement programmes that encourage more survivors to adhere to physical activity guidelines.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the National Cancer Center on 11 January 2019 (ID: 2018–295). In addition, many of the participating facilities required ethical approval from their local IRBs, while others did not. Accordingly, approval from the local IRBs of individual facilities was obtained when required. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Oncology Care Providers’ Awareness and Practice Related to Physical Activity Promotion for Breast Cancer Survivors and Barriers and Facilitators to Such Promotion: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Web-based Survey

“…OCPs who did not recognize that more than 60% of BCSs need help maintaining high physical activity levels tended not to routinely explain the physical activity recommendation. We estimate that around 60% of BCSs may need physical activity support given that 35% of BCSs met the JBCS physical activity recommendation in our other study, which is currently being prepared for submission [27] . Thus, is important to inform OCPs that there are many BCSs who potentially need help in maintaining high physical activity levels because they do not meet the JBCS recommendation.…”

Comorbid insomnia among breast cancer survivors and its prediction using machine learning: a nationwide study in Japan

“…Although some clinical variables such as fatigue, resilience, quality of life and physical activity are associated with comorbid insomnia in breast cancer survivors, we could not identify the risk factors. To solve the problem, several methods have been proposed for discovering causal relationships in cross-sectional studies ( 13 ). Second, we could not distinguish the effect of cancer treatments on insomnia.…”

“…In this study, we analyzed responses to the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) as part of a nationwide survey of Japanese breast cancer survivors ( 13 ). The study was approved by the institutional review board of the National Cancer Center, Japan (ID: 2018-295) and by the ethics committees of all 34 participating hospitals.…”

“…Attending physicians in the outpatient clinics of the facilities handed out a set of materials containing explanatory documents and a survey form to eligible participants, who completed the survey independently and returned it by mail to the research office. Measurement items are described in the protocol paper ( 13 ). The following items were collected: background information, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, EuroQol 5 Dimension, the Japanese equivalent of WHO Health and Work Performance Questionnaire Short Form, the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), the Concerns about Recurrence Scale, the AIS, the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) and the Resilience Scale.…”

Oncology care providers’ awareness and practice related to physical activity promotion for breast cancer survivors and barriers and facilitators to such promotion: a nationwide cross-sectional web-based survey

“…We chose to use the proportion of 60% in our questionnaire item given that 54-67% of American BCSs do not meet the recommended physical activity levels [8][9][10]. We used overseas data in this case because there are no such data available for Japan other than currently unpublished data in a study that we conducted and will report on shortly [30]. Clearly, it is important to inform OCPs that there are many BCSs who potentially need help in maintaining high physical activity levels because they do not meet the JBCS recommendation.…”