Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Designing viable, durable physical activity programs for cancer survivors: reflections from program participants and organizational leaders

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

Abstract

Purpose

Despite recommendations for cancer survivors to participate in routine physical activity (PA), offering programs that fit both survivors’ needs and sponsoring organizations’ resources remains a challenge. The purpose of this study is to explore the perspectives of cancer survivors and organizational stakeholders with the intent of developing PA peer-led programs that organizations can implement into their programming.

Methods

This study explored cancer survivors’ (n = 11) and cancer care organizational stakeholders’ (n = 27) perspectives on the design and feasibility of PA programs targeted for cancer survivors. Semi-structured interview guides were developed for survivors and stakeholders; interviews lasted approximately 30 min. Two analysts used a thematic analysis approach and independently conducted a line-by-line coding of each transcript. With guidance from a senior analyst, the codes were collapsed into themes and subthemes.

Results

The qualitative analysis of the interview data resulted in seven major themes relating to PA program development and success. Survivor-related themes included the following: (1) developing PA programs based on cancer survivors’ characteristics and experiences; (2) perceived value and importance of accessible, face-to-face instruction; (3) ensuring success based on physical abilities and limitations of the survivor; and (4) the value of physician recommendation for PA participation. Organization-related themes included the following: (1) incorporating participant and community input into program offerings; (2) program feasibility and sustainability; (3) incorporating organizational experience when adopting new program initiatives.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the challenges of developing viable PA programs for cancer survivors and may guide organizations in future program development and implementation.

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

References

  1. Miller KD et al (2019) Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2019. CA Cancer J Clin 69(5):363–385

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Neuman HB, Schumacher JR (2023) Follow-up and cancer survivorship. Surg Clin North Am 103(1):169–185

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Campbell KL et al (2019) Exercise guidelines for cancer survivors: consensus statement from international multidisciplinary roundtable. Med Sci Sports Exerc 51(11):2375–2390

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Doyle C et al (2006) Nutrition and physical activity during and after cancer treatment: an American Cancer Society guide for informed choices. CA Cancer J Clin 56(6):323–353

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Tollosa DN et al (2019) Adherence to multiple health behaviours in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cancer Surviv 13(3):327–343

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Cormie P et al (2017) The impact of exercise on cancer mortality, recurrence, and treatment-related adverse effects. Epidemiol Rev 39(1):71–92

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Berger AM et al (2015) Cancer-related fatigue, version 2.2015. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 13(8):1012–1039

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Sweegers MG et al (2018) Which exercise prescriptions improve quality of life and physical function in patients with cancer during and following treatment? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Sports Med 52(8):505–513

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Stout NL et al (2017) A systematic review of exercise systematic reviews in the cancer literature (2005-2017). PM R 9(9S2):S347–S384

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Yan AF et al (2019) Culture, identity, strength and spirituality: a qualitative study to understand experiences of African American women breast cancer survivors and recommendations for intervention development. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 28(3):e13013

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Cormie P et al (2015) A qualitative exploration of the experience of men with prostate cancer involved in supervised exercise programs. Oncol Nurs Forum 42(1):24–32

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Schumacher MM, McNiel P (2018) The impact of Livestrong(R) at the YMCA for cancer survivors. Oncol Nurs Forum 45(6):717–725

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Qu H et al (2020) Input from multiple stakeholder levels prioritizes targets for improving implementation of an exercise intervention for rural women cancer survivors. Implement Sci Commun 1(1):97

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Padek M et al (2015) Developing educational competencies for dissemination and implementation research training programs: an exploratory analysis using card sorts. Implement Sci 10:114

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Phillips SM et al (2014) Accelerating translation of physical activity and cancer survivorship research into practice: recommendations for a more integrated and collaborative approach. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 23(5):687–699

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Tabak RG et al (2015) Dissemination of health-related research among scientists in three countries: access to resources and current practices. Biomed Res Int 2015:179156

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Pinto BM et al (2008) A pilot study on disseminating physical activity promotion among cancer survivors: a brief report. Psychooncology 17(5):517–521

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Pinto BM, Stein K, Dunsiger S (2015) Peers promoting physical activity among breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Health Psychol 34(5):463–472

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Pinto BM et al (2021) Physical activity adoption and maintenance among breast cancer survivors: a randomized trial of peer mentoring. Ann Behav Med

  20. Pinto BM, Waldemore M, Rosen R (2015) A community-based partnership to promote exercise among cancer survivors: lessons learned. Int J Behav Med 22(3):328–335

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Saldana J, Omasta M (2016) Qualitative research: analyzing life. Sage Publications

    Google Scholar 

  22. Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J (2007) Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care 19(6):349–357

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. James EL et al (2015) Impact of a nutrition and physical activity intervention (ENRICH: Exercise and Nutrition Routine Improving Cancer Health) on health behaviors of cancer survivors and carers: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. BMC Cancer 15:710

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Galiano-Castillo N et al (2016) Telehealth system: a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of an internet-based exercise intervention on quality of life, pain, muscle strength, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors. Cancer 122(20):3166–3174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Goode AD et al (2015) Telephone, print, and web-based interventions for physical activity, diet, and weight control among cancer survivors: a systematic review. J Cancer Surviv 9(4):660–682

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Rajotte EJ et al (2012) Community-based exercise program effectiveness and safety for cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 6(2):219–228

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Blaney JM et al (2013) Cancer survivors’ exercise barriers, facilitators and preferences in the context of fatigue, quality of life and physical activity participation: a questionnaire-survey. Psychooncology 22(1):186–194

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. 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 

  29. Neil-Sztramko SE et al (2021) Community-based exercise programs for cancer survivors: a scoping review of program characteristics using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Arch Phys Med Rehabil

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Cathy Brice Hirsch for her contributions to this study.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute [R01CA183849-Administrative supplement]. Dr. Bernardine Pinto was awarded funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, Augusta University, 3109 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta, GA, USA

    M. Madison Kindred

  2. Roy Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY, USA

    Chigozie A. Nkwonta

  3. Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Marissa L. Beal

  4. College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, 1601 Greene Street, Columbia, SC, USA

    DeAnne K. H. Messias & Bernardine M. Pinto

Authors
  1. M. Madison Kindred
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chigozie A. Nkwonta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marissa L. Beal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. DeAnne K. H. Messias
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bernardine M. Pinto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Conceptualization: Dr. BP; methodology: Drs. BP and MB; formal analysis and investigation: Drs. MK, CN, and DAM; writing—original draft preparation: Dr. MK; writing—review and editing: Drs. BP, MK, MB, CN, and DAM; and funding acquisition: Dr. BP.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Madison Kindred.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of the University of South Carolina.

Consent to participate

Verbal informed consent was obtained prior to the interview.

Competing interests

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

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

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

Kindred, M.M., Nkwonta, C.A., Beal, M.L. et al. Designing viable, durable physical activity programs for cancer survivors: reflections from program participants and organizational leaders. Support Care Cancer 32, 84 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08264-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08264-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation