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Exercise programming and counseling preferences in bladder cancer survivors: a population-based study

Journal of Cancer Survivorship: Research and Practice volume 1, pages 27–34 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction

Despite growing evidence of the benefits of exercise in cancer survivors, exercise participation rates are low. Understanding the unique exercise programming and counseling preferences of different cancer survivor groups may facilitate the delivery of optimal exercise programs in these growing populations. To date, no study has examined these preferences in bladder cancer survivors.

Materials and methods

Participants were 397 bladder cancer survivors who completed a mailed survey in the province of Alberta, Canada.

Results

The majority of survivors indicated they would be interested (81.1%) and able (84.3%) to participate in an exercise program designed for bladder cancer survivors. We also found strong preferences for home-based exercise programming (53.7%), walking (81.1%), moderate intensity activity (61.7%) and unsupervised sessions (70.6%). Logistic regression analyses showed that older survivors were more likely to prefer to exercise at home (77 vs. 68%; OR = 4.21, 95% CI = 0.188–0.962, p = 0.040), do light intensity exercise (33 vs. 16%; OR = 4.50, 95% CI = 0.208–0.940, p = 0.034) and want unsupervised exercise sessions (75 vs. 62%; OR = 4.60, 95% CI = 1.07–4.08, p = 0.032). Body mass index, age, adjuvant therapy, marital status, income and education also influenced some exercise preferences.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that bladder cancer survivors are interested in receiving exercise counseling and have some consistent programming preferences including exercising at home, walking, and moderate intensity exercise. Many preferences were modified by demographic and medical factors.

Implications for cancer survivors

Understanding the unique exercise preferences of bladder cancer survivors may be used to inform the design and delivery of exercise programs in this growing population.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a University of Alberta—EFF Support for the Advancement of Scholarship Small Faculties Research Grant and a Research Team Grant from the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) with funds from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the NCIC/CCS Sociobehavioral Cancer Research Network. At the time of this study, Kristina H. Karvinen was supported by a Health Studentship from the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. Kerry S. Courneya is supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program.

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Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, E-488, Van Vliet Center, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2H9

    Kristina H. Karvinen & Kerry S. Courneya

  2. Department of Medicine, Cross Cancer Institute, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 1Z2

    Peter Venner & Scott North

Authors
  1. Kristina H. Karvinen
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  2. Kerry S. Courneya
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  3. Peter Venner
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  4. Scott North
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kerry S. Courneya.

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Karvinen, K.H., Courneya, K.S., Venner, P. et al. Exercise programming and counseling preferences in bladder cancer survivors: a population-based study. J Cancer Surviv 1, 27–34 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-007-0010-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-007-0010-5

Keywords

  • Exercise preferences
  • Bladder cancer survivors
  • Survey