Objective: To investigate the exercise barriers, facilitators and preferences of a mixed sample of cancer survivors as well as fatigue levels, quality of life (QoL) and the frequency and intensity of exercise that cancer survivors typically engage in.Methods: An anonymous, postal questionnaire-survey with a convenience sample of 975 cancer survivors was used. Standardised measures were used to establish fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form), QoL (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30), exercise frequency and intensity (Leisure Score Index).Results: A 52.3% response rate (n = 456) was achieved. A total of 76.0% were female, with stage I (18.3%) or stage II (21.0%) breast cancer (64.4%), and 62.3% were ≥3 years post treatment. A total of 73.5% reported fatigue with 57.2% experiencing fatigue on a daily basis. A total of 68.1% had never been given any advice on how to manage fatigue. A total of 9.4% reported to engage in strenuous physical activity, 43.5% in moderate physical activity and 65.5% in mild physical activity. Respondents experienced difficulties with emotional, cognitive and social functioning and the symptoms of fatigue, insomnia and pain. Barriers that interfered with exercise 'often/very often' were mainly related to respondents' health and environmental factors. A total of 50.2% were interested in exercise and 52.5% felt able to exercise. Exercise facilitators, preferences and motivators provide some insight into cancer survivors' needs in terms of becoming more physically active.Conclusions: Although cancer survivors continue to experience fatigue and QoL issues long after treatment completion, over half are willing and feel able to participate in exercise. Exercise barriers were mainly health related or environmental issues, however, the main barriers reported were those that had the potential to be alleviated by exercise.

Individuals with CRF have numerous barriers to exercise, both during and following treatment. The exercise facilitators identified in this study provide solutions to these barriers and may assist with the uptake and maintenance of exercise programs. These findings will aid physical therapists in designing appropriate exercise programs for patients with CRF.

The most salient finding is that there is a need for a formal approach to the management of psychosocial problems and challenges associated with MS. This will require both users and health professionals working together to further the development of clinical guidelines and services for this population.

The findings provide insight into the psychological process of identity redefinition associated with adjusting to MS. Given this, interventions should target role/identity re-examination to assist individuals with MS in better managing the disease and enjoying life.

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