“It has to be more than exercise”: exploring multiple perspectives to community-based exercise program design for persons with breast cancer

Purpose Connecting persons with cancer to exercise resources and/or supports requires a diverse team of professionals. As such, there is merit to engaging multiple individuals or “partners” along the cancer pathway to explore the relevant features of community-based exercise program (CBEP) design. T...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Supportive care in cancer 2023-12, Vol.31 (11), p.635-635, Article 635
Main Authors: Kauffeldt, Kaitlyn D., Sabiston, Catherine M., Latimer-Cheung, Amy E., Tomasone, Jennifer R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - therapy
Couples
Exercise
Exercise Therapy
Female
Focus groups
Health behavior
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Nursing
Nursing Research
Oncology
Pain Medicine
Participation
Perceptions
Qualitative research
Quality of Life
Rehabilitation Medicine
Social support
Support groups
Womens health
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Summary:Purpose Connecting persons with cancer to exercise resources and/or supports requires a diverse team of professionals. As such, there is merit to engaging multiple individuals or “partners” along the cancer pathway to explore the relevant features of community-based exercise program (CBEP) design. The purpose of this study was to explore multi-partner perspectives to CBEP design for persons diagnosed with breast cancer (PWBC) to inform the implementation of a CBEP in a local setting. Methods PWBC, health care professionals and qualified exercise professionals participated in one of four 60-min focus group discussions. Rich dialogue about preferred program environments, program delivery teams, and core program practices was encouraged using a semi-structured discussion guide. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Five main themes were identified based on focus group discussions, each pointing to an important feature of CBEP design for PWBC. Themes included the desire for CBEPs to incorporate elements designed to improve cancer literacy, provide opportunities to participate with peers, foster self-efficacy, prioritize program accessibility, and meaningfully integrate CBEPs within a network of supportive cancer care. Conclusion The collective effect of fostering such elements in CBEPs may serve to increase the uptake and maintenance of exercise among PWBC; ultimately enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life.
ISSN:0941-4355
1433-7339
DOI:10.1007/s00520-023-08089-4