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Mexican-American and Puerto Rican Breast Cancer Survivors’ Perspectives on Exercise: Similarities and Differences

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Abstract

Qualitative data was collected from Mexican-American (MA) and Puerto Rican (PR) breast cancer survivors to gain their perspectives on the relevant issues surrounding breast cancer survivorship and exercise. Six focus groups, a total of 31 participants were convened (three in Puerto Rico and three in Texas). Responses were analyzed and compared between the MA and PR groups. Follow-up sessions were conducted at the sites to review the initial results and to validate a culturally adapted exercise intervention trial. A total of 900 responses were catalogued into 27 codes. Both groups had similar descriptions of exercise and barriers to exercise. Both groups expressed lack of information regarding their exercise capabilities. The groups differed in their responses to perceived safety in their community and how to deliver a culturally adapted exercise intervention in their community. We found important cultural differences and similarities in relevant factors of exercise and breast cancer survivorship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Health Promotion Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, 7411 John Smith, Suite 1000, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Rose A. Treviño & Daniel C. Hughes

  2. Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Liliana Vallejo & Karen Basen-Engquist

  3. The University of Puerto Rico Cancer Center, San Juan, PR, USA

    Velda Gonzalez & Maribel Tirado-Gomez

Authors
  1. Rose A. Treviño
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  2. Liliana Vallejo
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  3. Daniel C. Hughes
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  4. Velda Gonzalez
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  5. Maribel Tirado-Gomez
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  6. Karen Basen-Engquist
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Correspondence to Rose A. Treviño.

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Treviño, R.A., Vallejo, L., Hughes, D.C. et al. Mexican-American and Puerto Rican Breast Cancer Survivors’ Perspectives on Exercise: Similarities and Differences. J Immigrant Minority Health 14, 1082–1089 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9648-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9648-9

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