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Factors influencing non-participation in an exercise program and attitudes towards physical activity amongst cancer survivors

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Abstract

Purpose

The purposes of this study are to investigate factors influencing non-participation in a structured exercise program for cancer survivors and to explore survivors’ experiences and attitudes in relation to physical activity participation.

Methods

Face-to-face or telephone interviews were conducted with individuals who had registered for, or engaged in, the ‘Life Now’ exercise program run by Cancer Council Western Australia. Participants were 20 cancer survivors (mean age 63.90 years, SD 15.29) who had either cancelled their registration or withdrawn from the exercise program during the preceding 2 years. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Seven main themes emerged: availability of the program; access, time and cost; lack of motivation or confidence; unwell or fatigued; physical activity preferences; knowledge of physical activity guidelines; and lack of referral or advice. The main barriers were contextual and included availability of, and access to, the program. Participants expressed a preference for home-based physical activity.

Conclusions

Interventions aimed at promoting physical activity in cancer survivors should offer home-based programs and include referral and advice from oncologists.

Implications for cancer survivors

Increasing cancer survivors’ participation in, and compliance with, exercise programs may require home-based strategies and referrals from oncologists to allied health professionals to individualise care.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine Research Group, School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia

    Sarah J. Hardcastle, Chloe Maxwell-Smith & Sviatlana Kamarova

  2. Cancer Council Western Australia, Bagot Road, Subiaco, Perth, Australia

    Stephanie Lamb & Lesley Millar

  3. Bendat Family Comprehensive Cancer Centre, St John of God Hospital, Subiaco, Perth, Australia

    Paul A. Cohen

  4. Division of Women’s and Infants’ Health, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia

    Paul A. Cohen

  5. Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia

    Paul A. Cohen

Authors
  1. Sarah J. Hardcastle
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  2. Chloe Maxwell-Smith
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  3. Sviatlana Kamarova
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  4. Stephanie Lamb
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  5. Lesley Millar
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  6. Paul A. Cohen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarah J. Hardcastle.

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Hardcastle, S.J., Maxwell-Smith, C., Kamarova, S. et al. Factors influencing non-participation in an exercise program and attitudes towards physical activity amongst cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 26, 1289–1295 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3952-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3952-9

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