Diverse strategies are needed to support physical activity engagement in women who have had breast cancer.

Farha Inam; Rebecca J Bergin; David Mizrahi; David W Dunstan; Melissa Moore; Natalie Maxwell-Davis; Linda Denehy; Brigid M Lynch; Christopher T V Swain
Abstract
Physical activity can improve health in people living with and beyond breast cancer; however, how to best support physical activity participation in this population is unclear. This qualitative study sought to identify important physical activity program components for breast cancer.Women with previous breast cancer (n = 11) and allied health professionals (n = 7) participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews (n = 15) or focus groups (n = 1). Qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis methods.Four main themes were generated including (1) the need for physical activity programs; (2) person-centered programs; (3) flexible physical activity programs; and (4) systems factors. These reflected the health and non-health benefits of physical activity, the need to facilitate agency, the diversity in individual characteristics, preferences, abilities, and commitments of people with lived experience of cancer, as well as the need for physical activity programs to be integrated within the broader health system.Strategies to support physical activity engagement for breast cancer should embrace the diversity of those who are diagnosed with cancer as well as the diversity in which physical activity can be achieved.
Journal SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE MULTINATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
ISSN 1433-7339
Published 21 Oct 2023
Volume 31
Issue 12
Pages 648 648
DOI 10.1007/s00520-023-08113-7
Type Journal Article
Sponsorship