Active living after cancer: Adaptation and evaluation of a community‐based physical activity program for minority and medically underserved breast cancer survivors

Abstract Background Physical activity rates in cancer survivors continue to be low despite the known benefits and availability of evidence-based programs. LIVESTRONG at the Y is a national community-based physical activity program offered cost-free to cancer survivors, though is underutilized. We explored perceptions and experiences of staff and participating survivors to better understand program awareness, referrals and participation. Methods LIVESTRONG at the Y program staff [directors (n = 16), instructors (n = 4)] and survivors (n = 8) from 8 United States YMCAs took part in 30-minute semi-structured phone interviews. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and evaluated using a thematic analysis approach. Results and Discussion Program staff themes included: 1) Program awareness should be further developed for both the general public and medical providers; 2) Strong relationships with medical providers increased program referrals; 3) Electronic referral systems between providers and LIVESTRONG would help to streamline the referral process; and 4) Bi-directional communication between program staff and medical providers is key to providing patient progress updates. Survivor themes included: 1) Survivors trust their medical team and the information they provide about physical activity; 2) Providers need to incorporate an action plan and referrals for survivors to be active once treatments are completed; and 3) Personal experiences of those who participated in LIVESTRONG resonate with survivors and increase participation. Conclusions LIVESTRONG staff reported the need for an integrated electronic referral system and bi-directional communication with providers about participant progress. Survivors want physical activity education, electronic referrals and follow-up from their healthcare team, coupled with peer support from other survivors. Cancer care provider knowledge and electronic referrals during and after treatment may expedite and increase participation in this community-based program.

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QUALITY OF LIFE IN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS: AN ASSESSMENT OF INTERNATIONAL BREAST CANCER DRAGON BOAT RACERS

Lymphology ◽

10.2458/lymph.4671 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

Author(s):

L Koehler ◽

S Rosenberg ◽

J Cater ◽

K Mikolajczyk ◽

A Moran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Community Based ◽

Dragon Boat ◽

Boat Racing

Resistance exercise is deemed safe for women recovering from conventional breast cancer therapies but few clinicians are aware that dragon boat racing, as a form of resistive exercise, is available to the breast cancer community. The objectives of this study were to 1) increase clinician awareness of dragon boat racing (DBR) in breast cancer survivors as a community-based physical activity, and 2) evaluate quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors with or without lymphedema who participate in DBR. This prospective, observational study surveyed 1,069 international breast cancer dragon boat racers from eight countries to compare function, activity, and participation in women with and without self-reported lymphedema using the Lymph-ICF questionnaire. Seventy-one percent of women (n=758) completed the questionnaires. Results revealed significantly higher Lymph-ICF scores in the lymphedema participants, signifying reduced QOL, when compared to the nonlymphedema participants (p<0.05), except for "go on vacation" for which no statistical difference was reported (p=0.20). International breast cancer survivors with lymphedema participating in DBR at an international competition had reduced function, limited activity, and restricted participation compared to participants without lymphedema. Clinicians should consider utilizing DBR as a community-based activity to support exercise and physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis.

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Do Breast Cancer Survivors Increase Their Physical Activity and Enhance Their Health-Related Quality of Life After Attending Community-Based Wellness Workshops?

Journal of Cancer Education ◽

10.1007/s13187-011-0306-z ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 353-361 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

D. Spector ◽

C. Battaglini ◽

A. Alsobrooks ◽

J. Owen ◽

D. Groff

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Community Based ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

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Experiences and perceptions of referrals to a community-based physical activity program for cancer survivors: a qualitative exploration

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06365-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jamie M. Faro ◽

Kristin M. Mattocks ◽

Dalton Mourao ◽

Catherine S. Nagawa ◽

Stephenie C. Lemon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Physical Activity Program ◽

Medical Providers ◽

Community Based ◽

Program Staff ◽

Activity Program ◽

Electronic Referral ◽

Program Awareness ◽

Electronic Referrals

Abstract Background Physical activity rates in cancer survivors continue to be low despite the known benefits and availability of evidence-based programs. LIVESTRONG at the Y is a national community-based physical activity program offered cost-free to cancer survivors, though is underutilized. We explored perceptions and experiences of staff and participating survivors to better understand program awareness, referrals and participation. Methods LIVESTRONG at the Y program staff [directors (n = 16), instructors (n = 4)] and survivors (n = 8) from 8 United States YMCAs took part in 30-min semi-structured phone interviews between March–May 2019. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and evaluated using a thematic analysis approach. Results Program staff themes included: 1) Program awareness should be further developed for both the general public and medical providers; 2) Strong relationships with medical providers increased program referrals; 3) Electronic referral systems between providers and LIVESTRONG would help to streamline the referral process; and 4) Bi-directional communication between program staff and medical providers is key to providing patient progress updates. Survivor themes included: 1) Survivors trust their medical team and the information they provide about physical activity; 2) Providers need to incorporate an action plan and referrals for survivors to be active once treatments are completed; and 3) Personal experiences of those who participated in LIVESTRONG resonate with survivors and increase participation. Conclusions LIVESTRONG staff reported the need for an integrated electronic referral system and bi-directional communication with providers about participant progress. Survivors want physical activity education, electronic referrals and follow-up from their healthcare team, coupled with peer support from other survivors. Cancer care provider knowledge and electronic referrals during and after treatment may expedite and increase participation in this community-based program.

Download Full-text