Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

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

  • Research
  • Published:
Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Code availability

Codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Notes

  1. Note that members of the Advisory Committee were ineligible to participate in this study.

References

  1. Canadian Cancer Society (2022) Canadian cancer society’s advisory committee on cancer statistics. Canadian Cancer Society, Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  2. Schmitz KH, Campbell AM, Stuiver MM, Pinto BM, Schwartz AL, Morris GS et al (2019) Exercise is medicine in oncology: engaging clinicians to help patients move through cancer. Cancer J Clin 69(6):468–484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Krok-Schoen JL, Pisegna J, Arthur E, Ridgway E, Stephens C, Rosko AE (2021) Prevalence of lifestyle behaviors and associations with health-related quality of life among older female cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 29(6):3049–3059

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Lynch BM, Dunstan DW, Healy GN, Winkler E, Eakin E, Owen N (2010) Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time of breast cancer survivors, and associations with adiposity: findings from NHANES (2003–2006). Cancer Causes Control 21(2):283–288

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Clifford BK, Mizrahi D, Sandler CX, Barry BK, Simar D, Wakefield CE, Goldstein D (2017) Barriers and facilitators of exercise experienced by cancer survivors: a mixed methods systematic review. Support Care Cancer 26:685–700

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Eshahat S, Treanor C, Donnelly M (2021) Factors influencing physical activity participation among people living with or beyond cancer: a systematic scoping review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 18(1):50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Covington KR, Hidde MC, Pergolotti M, Leach HJ (2019) Community-based exercise programs for cancer survivors: a scoping review of practice-based evidence. Support Care Cancer 27(12):4435–4450

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Santa Mina D, Alibhai SMH, Matthew AG, Guglietti CL, Steele J, Trachtenberg J et al (2012) Exercise in clinical cancer care: a call to action and program development description. Curr Oncol 19(3):e136–144

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Mina DS, Sabiston CM, Au D, Fong AJ, Capozzi LC, Langelier D et al (2018) Connecting people with cancer to physical activity and exercise programs: a pathway to create accessibility and engagement. Curr Oncol 25(2):149–162

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Newton RU (2018) Overwhelming research and clinical evidence of exercise medicine efficacy in cancer management—translation into practice is the challenge before us. Curr Oncol 25(2):117–118

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Graham ID, Logan J, Harrison MB, Straus SE, Tetroe J, Caswell W et al (2006) Lost in knowledge translation: time for a map? J Contin Educ Health Prof 26(1):13–24

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Karvinen KH, Raedeke TD, Arastu H, Allison RR (2011) Exercise programming and counseling preferences of breast cancer survivors during or after radiation therapy. Oncol Nurs Forum 38(5):E326–334

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Wong JN, McAuley E, Trinh L (2018) Physical activity programming and counseling preferences among cancer survivors: A systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 15(1):48

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Whitehead S, Lavelle K (2009) Older breast cancer survivors’ views and preferences for physical activity. Qual Health Res 19(7):894–906

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Vallance J, Lavallee C, Culos-Reed N, Trudeau M (2013) Rural and small town breast cancer survivors’ preferences for physical activity. Int J Behav Med 20(4):522–528

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Rogers LQ, Markwell SJ, Courneya KS, McAuley E, Verhulst S (2009) Exercise preference patterns, resources, and environment among rural breast cancer survivors. J Rural Health 25(4):388–391

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Kauffeldt KD, Sabiston CM, Santa Mina D, Tomasone JR (2021) An organizational approach to exploring the determinants of community-based exercise program implementation for breast cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 30(3):2183–2196

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Nadler M, Bainbridge D, Tomasone J, Cheifetz O, Juergens RA, Sussman J (2017) Oncology care provider perspectives on exercise promotion in people with cancer: an examination of knowledge, practices, barriers and facilitators. Support Care Cancer 25(7):2297–2304

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Santa Mina D, Sabiston CM, Au D, Fong AJ, Capozzi LC, Langelier D, Chasen M, Chiarotto J, Tomasone JR, Jones JM, Chang E, Culos-Reed SN (2018) Connecting people with cancer to physical activity and exercise programs: a pathway to create accessibility and engagement. Curr Oncol 25(2):149–162

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Graham ID, McCutcheon C, Kothari A (2019) Exploring the frontiers of research co-production: the integrated knowledge translation research network concept papers. Health Res Policy Sys 17(88). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-019-0501-7

  21. Smith B, Williams O, Bone L, the Moving Social Work Co-Production Collective (2023) Co-production: a resource guide to co-producing research in the sport, exercise, and health sciences. Qual Res Sport Exerc Health 15(2):159–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Grant AR, Koczwara B, Morris JN, Eakin E, Short CE, Beatty L (2021) What do cancer survivors and their health care providers want from a healthy living program? Results from the first round of a co-design project. Support Care Cancer 29:4847–4858

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Tang CY, Turczyniak M, Sayner A, Haines K, Butzkueven S et al (2020) Adopting a collaborative approach in developing a prehabilitation program for patients with prostate cancer utilizing experience-based co-design. Support Care Cancer 28:5195–5202

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Guba EG, Lincoln YS (1998) Competing paradigms in qualitative research. In: Denzin NK, Lincoln YS (eds) The landscape of qualitative research: Theories and issues. Sage, Thousand Oaks, pp 195–220

    Google Scholar 

  25. CIHR (2016) Knowledge Translation. Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Available from https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29418.html. Accessed Apr 2023

  26. Graham ID, Kothari A, McCutcheon C, Alvarez G, Banner D, Botti M et al (2018) Moving knowledge into action for more effective practice, programmes and policy: protocol for a research programme on integrated knowledge translation. Implement Sci 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-017-0700-y

  27. Nguyen T, Graham ID, Mrklas KJ, Bowen S, Cargo M et al (2020) How does integrated knowledge translation (IKT) compare to other collaborative research approaches to generating and translating knowledge? Learning from experts in the field. Health Res Policy Sys 18(35). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-020-0539-6

  28. Qualtrics software. Qualtrics. Provo, UT, USA; released 2005. Available at https://www.qualtrics.com

  29. Godin G (2011) The Godin-Shepherd leisure-time physical activity questionnaire. Health Fitness J Canada 4(1):18–22

    Google Scholar 

  30. Evans MB, Shirazipour CH, Allan V, Zanhour M, Sweet SN, Martin Ginis KA et al (2018) Integrating insights from the parasport community to understand optimal experiences: the quality parasport participation framework. Psychol Sport Exerc 1(37):79–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Martin Ginis KA, Evans MB, Mortenson W ben, Noreau L (2017) Broadening the Conceptualization of participation of persons with physical disabilities: a configurative review and recommendations. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil 98(2): 395–402.

  32. Fong A, Saxton HR, Kauffeldt KD, Sabiston CM, Tomasone JR (2020) “We’re all in the same boat together”: exploring quality participation strategies in dragon boat teams for breast cancer survivors. Disabil Rehabil 43(21):3078–3089

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Kalashnikova E (2018) Exploring dance movement therapy as quality physical activity for people with Parkinson’s disease. York University, Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  34. Man KE, Williams TL, Barnim N, Shirazipour CH, Latimer-Cheung AE, Tomasone JR (2021) Exploring how the process of quality participation unfolds for volunteers in community-based exercise programs for persons with disabilities. Qual Res Sport Exerc Health 13(2):300–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Koch LC, Sweet SN, Man KE, Arbour-Nicitopoulos KP, Orr K et al (2022) Exploring the relationship between quality and quantity of physical activity participation in community-based exercise programs for persons with physical disabilities. Adapt Phys Activ Q 39(4):380–398

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Mauthner NS, Doucet A (2003) Reflexive Accounts and accounts of reflexivity in qualitative data analysis. BSA Publications Ltd. 37(3):413–431

    Google Scholar 

  37. Braun V, Clarke V, Weate P (2016) Using thematic analysis in sport and exercise research. In: Routledge handbook of qualitative research in sport and exercise. Routledge, London, pp 213–27

  38. QSR International Pty Ltd. Nvivo (Version 11). Denver, CO, USA; released 2015. Available at https://support.qsrinternational.com/nvivo/s/

  39. Smith B, Sparkes AC (2016) Routledge handbook of qualitative research in sport and exercise. Taylor & Francis

  40. McDonough MH, Beselt J, Konlund LJ, Albinati NK, Daun JT et al (2021) Social support and physical activity for cancer survivors: a qualitative review and meta-study. J Cancer Surviv 15:713–728

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Philips SM, McAuley E (2012) Social cognitive influences on physical activity participation in long-term breast cancer survivors. Psychooncology 22(4):783–791

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Stacey FG, James EL, Chapman K, Courneya KS, Lubans DR (2015) A systematic review and meta-analysis of social cognitive theory-based physical activity and/or nutrition behavior change interventions for cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 9(2):305–338

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Winter-stone KM, Boisvert C, Fuzhong L, Lyons KS, Beer TM et al (2022) Delivering exercise medicine to cancer survivors: has COVID-19 shifted the landscape for how and who can be reached with supervised group exercise? Support Care Cancer 30:1903–1906

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was made possible through the collaboration of the Advisory Committee that was established for this project. The authors would like to acknowledge Ms. Renee Hartzel, Ms. Romana Kolasa, Dr. Hugh Langley, Dr. Marian Luctkar-Flude, Ms. Amanda Posadowski, and Dr. Daniel Santa Mina for their insight and contributions. Ms. Amy Evans and Mr. Nigel Barnim are acknowledged for their contributions to data collection and data analysis, respectively.

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation grant #499062. Kaitlyn D. Kauffeldt was supported by a graduate student scholarship from Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology. Catherine M. Sabiston holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Physical Activity and Mental Health. Amy E. Latimer-Cheung holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Disability and Physical Activity.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University, 28 Division Street, Kingston, ON, Canada, K7L 3N6

    Kaitlyn D. Kauffeldt, Amy E. Latimer-Cheung & Jennifer R. Tomasone

  2. Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, 55 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5S 2W6

    Catherine M. Sabiston

Authors
  1. Kaitlyn D. Kauffeldt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Catherine M. Sabiston
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amy E. Latimer-Cheung
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jennifer R. Tomasone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Kaitlyn D. Kauffeldt. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Kaitlyn D. Kauffeldt and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer R. Tomasone.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of Queen’s University (reference #602018).

Consent to participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in this study.

Consent for publication

The authors confirm that participants provided informed consent for the publication of study data.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 17 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kauffeldt, K.D., Sabiston, C.M., Latimer-Cheung, A.E. et al. “It has to be more than exercise”: exploring multiple perspectives to community-based exercise program design for persons with breast cancer. Support Care Cancer 31, 635 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08089-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08089-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation